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Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt

Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt. Slides for private use only! Hans Jonas: Heidegger‘s Disobedient Student Lecture at Sapienza Universitá Rome Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt May 2015 Freie Universität Berlin Michael.Bongardt@fu-berlin.de. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt.

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Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt

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  1. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt Slides for private use only! Hans Jonas: Heidegger‘s Disobedient Student Lecture at Sapienza Universitá Rome Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt May 2015 Freie Universität Berlin Michael.Bongardt@fu-berlin.de

  2. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • Brokenfriendship: somebiographicalnotes • Reflecting on human existence • Existenceandreligion • The valueoflife • Human responsibility

  3. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • Brokenfriendship: somebiographicalnotes

  4. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • I. Brokenfriendship • 1903 Hans Jonas was born in Mönchengladbach • 1921-28 Studies in Freiburg, Berlin, Marburg • 1933 Emigration to London • 1934 Emigration to Jerusalem • 1940-45 Soldierofthe British Army • 1948-49 SoldieroftheArmyof Israel • 1949 Emigration to Canada (fellow at severaluniversities) • 1954 Emigration to USA • 1954-76 Professor at New School, New York • 1993 Hans Jonas passedaway in New York

  5. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • I. Brokenfriendship • Martin Heidegger • (1889 – 1976) • in Marburg • 1924 – 1927

  6. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • I. Brokenfriendship • Hans Jonas • (1903 – 1993) • in Marburg • 1923 - 1933

  7. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • I. Brokenfriendship • Heidegger • fascinatingteacher • Hannah‘sfriend • PhDsupervisor • National Socialist • Irreparable discord

  8. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • Brokenfriendship: somebiographicalnotes • Reflecting on human existence • Between Heidegger and Kierkegaard • Existentialismandontology

  9. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • II. Reflecting on human existence • Between Heidegger and Kierkegaard • Heidegger: • Phenomenology • „Sein“ und „Dasein“ („being“ – „beingthere“ • Phenomenaof human life: „existentials“ • Beyondthesplit • Post-metaphysicalthought

  10. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • II. Reflecting on human existence • Between Heidegger and Kierkegaard • Kierkegaard: • Subjectivityastruth • Choosingyourself • Free will andfaith

  11. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • II. Reflecting on human existence • Between Heidegger and Kierkegaard • Jonas: • Phenomenaof human life • Subjectivityandfree will

  12. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • Brokenfriendship: somebiographicalnotes • Reflecting on human existence • Between Heidegger and Kierkegaard • Existentialismandontology

  13. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • II. Reflecting on human existence • 2. Existentialismandontology • Heidegger / Jonas • commonquestions • commoncritiques • very different answers

  14. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • II. Reflecting on human existence • 2. Existentialismandontology • „Frombeingand time“ (Heidegger) • vs. • „Life andorganism“ (Jonas)

  15. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • Brokenfriendship: somebiographicalnotes • Reflecting on human existence • Existenceandreligion

  16. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion • Rudolf Bultmann • (1884 – 1976) • in Marburg • 1905 – 1916 • 1921 – 1976

  17. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion • Experience anddogma • Demythologisation • St. Paul and St. Augustine • The gnosticinterpretationof human existence

  18. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 1. Experience anddogma • Human experienceofworld, man, andGodasstartingpointofselfinterpretation • Selfinterpretationasstartingpointofreligion • Mythanddogmaascondensedandfixedselfinterpretation

  19. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion • Experience anddogma • Demythologisation

  20. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 2. Demythologisation • Demythologisationasinterpretationofreligioussystems • Uncoveringtheselfinterpretationbehindthemythsanddogmas • Contextualizingtheselfinterpretation • Understanding themeaningofmythsanddogmas • - Critical investigationofpastandpresence

  21. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion • Experience anddogma • Demythologisation • St. Paul and St. Augustine

  22. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 3. Paul and Augustine • A newdefinitionoffree will: • Stoicunderstanding: • freefromemotions • acceptanceofthe rational order • vs. • St Paul: • free will • choosingthegood

  23. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 3. Paul and Augustine • Rom 7,15 • “And I have no clear knowledge of what I am doing, for that which I have a mind to do, I do not, but what I have hate for, that I do.”

  24. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 3. Paul and Augustine • Jonas‘ interpretation: • thedialecticsof human free will • free will is a dynamicbut anydecisionis an objectivation • Wedon‘tthegoodbecauseitisgood but tobecome a good man – praisedbyGod

  25. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 3. Paul and Augustine • St Augustin‘sinterpretation: • causeof sin isthe original sin • any human being after Adam isborn in sin • nobodyisablebyhisownpotencytorecognise, towantandto do thegood • thereisnofree will • all human beingsneedthegraceofGod • thenthe Holy Spirit actswithin man

  26. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 3. Paul and Augustine • Jonas‘sinterpretationof Augustin: • „original sin“ is a myth / dogma • thedogmaneglectedthedialecticsof human free will • demythtologisationhastorediscoverfree will

  27. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion • Experience anddogma • Demythologisation • St. Paul and St. Augustine • The gnosticinterpretationof human existence

  28. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • phenomenonfrom 2nd to 5th cent. CE. • (Manichaeismuntil 15th cent.) • awayofreligiousthinking, gone in severalreligionsincludingChristianity • importantgnosticthinkersandteachers: • Marcion, Valentinus (both 2nd. cent.) • Mani (3rd. cent.)

  29. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • Hans Jonas: • Intensive historicalandphilologicalresearch on thesourcesaboutGnosticism • 2 publishedVolumes: Gnosticismandthespiritoflateantiquity • But mostimportant: • The existentialisticinterpretationofGnosticism: • „Demythologization“

  30. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • Jonas on Gnosticism • Characteristicsofgnosticsystems: • a gappingabyssbetween • Godandtheworld • human beingsandtheworld • human beingsandGod

  31. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • Characteristicsofgnosticsystems: • nochaos but order • - gnosticsystemsestablishorder • - systemofgods, angels, powers, matter etc. • - theorderoftheworldasorderof a prison • - theorderofsalvation

  32. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • ContradictionsagainstBibleandancientphilosophy: • Bible • thetranscendentGodcreatedtheworldwell • he gave a goodordertotheworld • theworldshouldbethehomeofmankindandtheobjectofitsresponsibility

  33. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • ContradictionsagainstBibleandancientphilosophy: • Ancientphilosophy, partcularlyStoicism • - „Logos“: the rational orderofthewholebeing • - human capacitytorecogniceandunderstandtheorder • - freedomasacceptingthe rational order

  34. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • Feelings behindtheMyths • alienation • loneliness • worthlessness • desireforextramundansalvation

  35. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • Feelings behindtheMyths • „Greekthoughthadbeen a grandexpressionof man‘s belongingtotheworld (if not unreservedlytomereterrestriallife) […]: gnosticthoughtisinspiredbytheanguisheddiscoveryof man‘s cosmicsolitude, oftheutterothernessofhisbeingtothatoftheuniverse at large.“ • (Jonas, Gnostic Religion, p. 251)

  36. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • Socialcontext: From „polis“ to „Imperium Romanum“: • „But thenewatomizedmassesofthe Empire, whohadnevershared in that noble traditionofareté, mightreactverydifferentlyto a situation in whichtheyfoundthemselvespassivelyinvolved: a situation in whichthepart was insignificanttothewhole, andthewholealientotheparts.“ • (Jonas, Gnostic Religion, p. 249)

  37. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • PracticalConsequencesofgnosticideas: • Nihilism: Thereisnovalueorworthofthe human existence • leadsto: • Ascetism: Distancetotheworld • or • - Libertinism: Enjoythemeaninglesslife

  38. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • „Libertinismhadits alternative in asceticism. Oppositeasthetwotypesofconductare, theyyetwere in thegnosticcaseofthe same root, andthe same basicargumentsupportsthemboth. The onerepudiatesallegiancetonaturethroughexcess, theother, throughabstention.“ • (Jonas, Gnostic Religion, p. 274)

  39. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • III. Existenceandreligion 4. Gnosticism • Heidegger andGnosticismaccordingto Jonas: • „The ‚existentialist‘ readingofGnosticism, so wellvindicatedby ist hermeneuticsuccess, invitesasitsnaturalcomplementthetrialof a ‚gnostic‘ readingofExistentialism.“ • (Jonas, Gnostic Religion, p. 321)

  40. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • Brokenfriendship: somebiographicalnotes • Reflecting on human existence • Existenceandreligion • The valueoflife

  41. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife • 1. The ambiguityofdivinecreation • 2. Life asself-affirmation • 3. Life againstnihilism

  42. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife 1. Creation • Isthecreatedworldworthwile? • Bible: • Yes, becauseitismadeby a goodandlovingGod! • Gnosticism: • No, becauseitismadeby an evilGod, angelorprinciple!

  43. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife 1. Creation • Consequence: • The valueoftheworldhastobeshownwithoutanyreferenceto a Creator / God.

  44. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife • 1. The ambiguityofdivinecreation • 2. Life asself-affirmation

  45. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife 2. Life asself-affirmation • Jonas • „Life andOrganism“ – a philosophicalbiology • Philosophicalinterpretationofthecosmogonyandtheevolutionoflife

  46. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife 2. Life asself-affirmation • ongoingprocessionfrombig bang to human life • two „jumps“ („fulgurations“ – K. Lorenz): • - from matter tolife • - frombraintomind • continuityisalwayshigherthandiscontinuity

  47. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife 2. Life asself-affirmation • Characteristicsoflifefromitsverybeginning • metabolism • contingency • inwardness • transcendence • freedom / free will

  48. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife 2. Life asself-affirmation • Characteristicsoflifefrom ist verybeginning • Life istheunityofnecessityandfreedom • Life isself-affirmation • Life isworthwile in itself

  49. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife • 1. The ambiguityofdivinecreation • 2. Life asself-affirmation • 3. Life againstnihilism

  50. Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt • IV. The valueoflife 3. Life againstnihilism • Fromanimalsto human being • emergenceofconsciousness • boundto matter andanimals • human lifeisself-affirmation aswell • conciousdecisionto live • confirmationofthepre-human life,itsself-affirmation, andworth

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