Heidegger and the Thinking of Place: Explorations in the Topology of Being
The philosophical significance of place—in Heidegger's work and as the focus of a distinctive mode of philosophical thinking.

The idea of place—topos—runs through Martin Heidegger's thinking almost from the very start. It can be seen not only in his attachment to the famous hut in Todtnauberg but in his constant deployment of topological terms and images and in the situated, “placed” character of his thought and of its major themes and motifs. Heidegger's work, argues Jeff Malpas, exemplifies the practice of “philosophical topology.” In Heidegger and the Thinking of Place, Malpas examines the topological aspects of Heidegger's thought and offers a broader elaboration of the philosophical significance of place. Doing so, he provides a distinct and productive approach to Heidegger as well as a new reading of other key figures—notably Kant, Aristotle, Gadamer, and Davidson, but also Benjamin, Arendt, and Camus.

Malpas, expanding arguments he made in his earlier book Heidegger's Topology (MIT Press, 2007), discusses such topics as the role of place in philosophical thinking, the topological character of the transcendental, the convergence of Heideggerian topology with Davidsonian triangulation, the necessity of mortality in the possibility of human life, the role of materiality in the working of art, the significance of nostalgia, and the nature of philosophy as beginning in wonder. Philosophy, Malpas argues, begins in wonder and begins in place and the experience of place. The place of wonder, of philosophy, of questioning, he writes, is the very topos of thinking.

1111457452
Heidegger and the Thinking of Place: Explorations in the Topology of Being
The philosophical significance of place—in Heidegger's work and as the focus of a distinctive mode of philosophical thinking.

The idea of place—topos—runs through Martin Heidegger's thinking almost from the very start. It can be seen not only in his attachment to the famous hut in Todtnauberg but in his constant deployment of topological terms and images and in the situated, “placed” character of his thought and of its major themes and motifs. Heidegger's work, argues Jeff Malpas, exemplifies the practice of “philosophical topology.” In Heidegger and the Thinking of Place, Malpas examines the topological aspects of Heidegger's thought and offers a broader elaboration of the philosophical significance of place. Doing so, he provides a distinct and productive approach to Heidegger as well as a new reading of other key figures—notably Kant, Aristotle, Gadamer, and Davidson, but also Benjamin, Arendt, and Camus.

Malpas, expanding arguments he made in his earlier book Heidegger's Topology (MIT Press, 2007), discusses such topics as the role of place in philosophical thinking, the topological character of the transcendental, the convergence of Heideggerian topology with Davidsonian triangulation, the necessity of mortality in the possibility of human life, the role of materiality in the working of art, the significance of nostalgia, and the nature of philosophy as beginning in wonder. Philosophy, Malpas argues, begins in wonder and begins in place and the experience of place. The place of wonder, of philosophy, of questioning, he writes, is the very topos of thinking.

40.0 In Stock
Heidegger and the Thinking of Place: Explorations in the Topology of Being

Heidegger and the Thinking of Place: Explorations in the Topology of Being

by Jeff Malpas
Heidegger and the Thinking of Place: Explorations in the Topology of Being

Heidegger and the Thinking of Place: Explorations in the Topology of Being

by Jeff Malpas

Paperback(Reprint)

$40.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

The philosophical significance of place—in Heidegger's work and as the focus of a distinctive mode of philosophical thinking.

The idea of place—topos—runs through Martin Heidegger's thinking almost from the very start. It can be seen not only in his attachment to the famous hut in Todtnauberg but in his constant deployment of topological terms and images and in the situated, “placed” character of his thought and of its major themes and motifs. Heidegger's work, argues Jeff Malpas, exemplifies the practice of “philosophical topology.” In Heidegger and the Thinking of Place, Malpas examines the topological aspects of Heidegger's thought and offers a broader elaboration of the philosophical significance of place. Doing so, he provides a distinct and productive approach to Heidegger as well as a new reading of other key figures—notably Kant, Aristotle, Gadamer, and Davidson, but also Benjamin, Arendt, and Camus.

Malpas, expanding arguments he made in his earlier book Heidegger's Topology (MIT Press, 2007), discusses such topics as the role of place in philosophical thinking, the topological character of the transcendental, the convergence of Heideggerian topology with Davidsonian triangulation, the necessity of mortality in the possibility of human life, the role of materiality in the working of art, the significance of nostalgia, and the nature of philosophy as beginning in wonder. Philosophy, Malpas argues, begins in wonder and begins in place and the experience of place. The place of wonder, of philosophy, of questioning, he writes, is the very topos of thinking.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780262533676
Publisher: MIT Press
Publication date: 03/03/2017
Series: The MIT Press
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 388
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Jeff Malpas is Distinguished Professor at the University of Tasmania and Distinguished Visiting Professor at Latrobe University. He is the author of Heidegger's Topology: Being, Place, World and Heidegger and the Thinking of Place: Explorations in the Topology of Being, both published by the MIT Press.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: The Thinking of Place 1

I Topological Thinking 11

1 The Topos of Thinking 13

2 The Turning to/of Place 23

3 The Place of Topology 43

II Topological Concepts 71

4 Ground, Unity, and Limit 73

5 Nihilism, Place, and "Position" 97

6 Place, Space, and World 113

7 Geography, Biology, and Politics 137

III Topological Horizons 159

8 Philosophy's Nostalgia 161

9 Death and the End of Life 177

10 Topology, Triangulation, and Truth 199

11 Heidegger in Benjamin's City 225

12 The Working of Art 237

Epilogue: Beginning in Wonder 251

Notes 269

Bibliography 343

Index 361

What People are Saying About This

Stuart Elden

Jeff Malpas's Heidegger and the Thinking of Place is a powerful companion volume of essays to his earlier Heidegger's Topology, but can also stand alone as an introduction to the crucial theme of place in Heidegger's work. Especially powerful is the triptych of essays in the third part on nostalgia, death, and truth, which move from the thinking of place to thinking through place. Malpas's ongoing dialogue with Heidegger goes to the heart of both thinker's concerns, and demonstrates Malpas's ability both to discuss complicated questions clearly and to show the complications in what previously appeared clear.

Andrew Benjamin

Heidegger and The Thinking of Place not only confirms Jeff Malpas as a central interpreter of Heidegger, it reinforces his position as one of the most significant philosophers writing on the concept of place today. Henceforth it will be impossible to work on either 'topos' or 'place' without talking Malpas's writings as the point of departure. Malpas works between and across traditions. If philosophy is to have a future that lifts it beyond the confines of commentary on the one hand or political posturing on the other then it is work by a philosopher such as Jeff Malpas that will show the way.

Julian Young

Almost single-handedly, Jeff Malpas has created a new philosophical topic, that of 'place'. Heidegger and the Thinking of Place far exceeds the bounds of Heidegger exegesis. It is a major work by the most original philosopher working in Australasia today.

Endorsement

Almost single-handedly, Jeff Malpas has created a new philosophical topic, that of 'place'. Heidegger and the Thinking of Place far exceeds the bounds of Heidegger exegesis. It is a major work by the most original philosopher working in Australasia today.

Julian Young, Kenan Professor of Humanities, Wake Forest University

From the Publisher

Jeff Malpas's Heidegger and the Thinking of Place is a powerful companion volume of essays to his earlier Heidegger's Topology, but can also stand alone as an introduction to the crucial theme of place in Heidegger's work. Especially powerful is the triptych of essays in the third part on nostalgia, death, and truth, which move from the thinking of place to thinking through place. Malpas's ongoing dialogue with Heidegger goes to the heart of both thinker's concerns, and demonstrates Malpas's ability both to discuss complicated questions clearly and to show the complications in what previously appeared clear.

Stuart Elden, Professor of Political Geography, Durham University

Heidegger and The Thinking of Place not only confirms Jeff Malpas as a central interpreter of Heidegger, it reinforces his position as one of the most significant philosophers writing on the concept of place today. Henceforth it will be impossible to work on either 'topos' or 'place' without talking Malpas's writings as the point of departure. Malpas works between and across traditions. If philosophy is to have a future that lifts it beyond the confines of commentary on the one hand or political posturing on the other then it is work by a philosopher such as Jeff Malpas that will show the way.

Andrew Benjamin, Professor of Critical Theory and Philosophical Aesthetics, Director Research Unit in European Philosophy, Monash University

Almost single-handedly, Jeff Malpas has created a new philosophical topic, that of 'place'. Heidegger and the Thinking of Place far exceeds the bounds of Heidegger exegesis. It is a major work by the most original philosopher working in Australasia today.

Julian Young, Kenan Professor of Humanities, Wake Forest University

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews