The Concept of Time in the Study of History

Martin Heidegger

Newcomb Livraria Press

About this ebook

A new 2024 translation of Heidegger's early work "The Concept of Time in the Study of History", (original German title "Der Zeitbegriff in Der Geschichtswissenschaft") originally published in 1916. This edition contains a new afterword by the Translator, a timeline of Heidegger's life and works, a philosophic index of core Heideggerian concepts and a guide for terminology across 19th and 20th century Existentialists. This translation is designed for readability and accessibility to Heidegger's enigmatic and dense philosophy. Complex and specific philosophic terms are translated as literally as possible and academic footnotes have been removed to ensure easy reading. Heidegger contrasts this with the use of time in the natural sciences, especially physics. The paper begins with general remarks on science and the theory of science, then moves into a detailed examination of the role and structure of the concept of time in historical research. It is argued that time in history has a qualitative, unique character that differs from its quantitative and homogeneous character in physics. The paper also discusses the methodological aspects of historical science and the importance of time in understanding and categorizing historical events, emphasizing the distinct nature of historical time.