Heidegger’s Country Path Conversations:

“The Teacher Meets the Tower Warden at the Door to the Tower Stairway”

A new series of 5 Zoom webinars led by Dr. Alfred Denker.

Second session: The Teacher Meets the Tower Warden, 111-115

The “Country Path Conversations” were composed in the winter of 1944/45, as the Second World War was approaching its inexorable end. The date 7 April 1945 was inscribed at the end of “Ἀγχιβασίη,” and 8 May 1945 at the end of the conversation in a prisoner of war camp. The conversation between a Teacher and a Tower Warden bears no date, but it was also probably composed during this time.

With the devastation of Germany and Europe all around him, in these conversations Heidegger locates the forgottenness of being within modern thinking. A thinking which is stamped with the character of will, and which manifests itself in the rule of technology. A thinking which stands in relation to the “process of annihilation which holds the earth in its grasp.” The central themes of Heidegger’s later philosophy are present here. Yet those who, on account of the dates of these conversations, expect a word from the philosopher concerning the end of the Nazi regime, will find themselves disappointed.

The conversation between a teacher and a tower warden draws attention to astonishment and the importance of keeping an eye for the wondrous. This is contrasted with modern objective-thinking, which keeps wondering at bay in its drive to obtain everything within its grasp. The Tower Warden explains that “he who lives in the height of a tower feels the trembling of the world sooner and in further-reaching oscillations.” What is at issue here is the essence of the human with respect to the openness of beyng; an openness which should not be distorted.

Fee: 80 Euros, Patrons 60 Euros, students and those of low-income 40 Euros.

For more information or to register please contact Alfred Denker: alfred.denker@yahoo.com