Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being

This book argues that Western philosophy’s traditional understanding of Being as substance is incorrect, and demonstrates that Being is fundamentally Relationality. To make that argument, the book examines the history of Western philosophy’s evolving conception of being, and shows how this tradition has been dominated by an Aristotelian understanding of substance and his corresponding understanding of relation. First, the book establishes that the original concept of Being in ancient Western philosophy was relational, and traces this relational understanding of Being through the Neoplatonists. Then, it follows the substantial understanding of Being through Aristotle and the Scholastics to reach its crisis in Descartes. Finally, the book demonstrates that Heidegger represents a recovery of the original, relational understanding of Being.

Table of Contents

Part I: …: Origins of Being; The One

Chapter 1: Beginnings

Part II: … : Emanation

Chapter 2: Plato: Two Paths Diverge

Chapter 3: The Neoplatonists: The Path of Relation

Chapter 4: The Aristotelians: The Path of Substance

Part Ill: …: Re-turn

Chapter 5: Heidegger

Part IV: :…: “The End of the Matter”

Chapter 6: Conclusion

About the Author

James Filler teaches philosophy at Wheeling University (USA). He is author of several articles, and winner of the 2021 Review of Metaphysics Dissertation Essay Contest.