Gilles Deleuze's relationship with Martin Heidegger's concept of "ereignis" (often translated as "event" or "enowning") is nuanced and complex. While Deleuze's philosophy shares some thematic overlaps with Heidegger's thought, particularly in their respective focuses on being, becoming, and the nature of existence, Deleuze was not directly influenced by Heidegger's concept of "ereignis" in a straightforward manner. Here’s a more detailed exploration of their relationship:
1. **Event and Becoming**:
- Both Deleuze and Heidegger focus on the concept of the event, but they approach it differently. Heidegger’s "ereignis" is about the event of being's disclosure, the moment when being reveals itself and entities come into their own. Deleuze, on the other hand, conceives the event more in terms of pure becoming and the continuous process of change and differentiation, without a teleological or ontological grounding.
2. **Immanence vs. Ontological Disclosure**:
- Deleuze’s philosophy is characterized by a strong commitment to immanence, where all processes and events occur within the same plane of existence without recourse to an underlying or transcendent ground. Heidegger’s "ereignis" involves a moment of ontological disclosure, where being itself comes to presence. This notion of an ontological event contrasts with Deleuze's more empirical, process-oriented perspective.
3. **Influences and References**:
- Deleuze references Heidegger in his works, but he does not engage deeply with "ereignis." Instead, Deleuze’s ideas about the event are more influenced by his readings of Nietzsche (eternal return and the affirmation of difference) and Whitehead (process philosophy and the concept of the actual occasion).
4. **Difference in Methodology**:
- Heidegger’s method involves a hermeneutic phenomenology aimed at uncovering the structures of being. Deleuze employs a more experimental, non-hierarchical method, influenced by Spinoza, Nietzsche, and Bergson, which focuses on multiplicity, assemblages, and the intensive processes of becoming.
5. **Conceptual Resonances**:
- Despite the differences, there are conceptual resonances. Both philosophers challenge traditional metaphysics and seek to think beyond static representations. They share an interest in temporality and the dynamic unfolding of existence, although they frame these interests within different philosophical projects and terminologies.
In summary, while Deleuze’s thought resonates with some aspects of Heidegger’s focus on events and the dynamic nature of being, he was not directly influenced by Heidegger's concept of "ereignis." Instead, Deleuze developed his own unique philosophical perspective, drawing more heavily on other thinkers and emphasizing immanence, difference, and the continuous process of becoming.
