In Martin Heidegger's later thought, particularly in his works following "Being and Time," he began to cross out the word "Being" (Sein) as a way to signify the inadequacy of language and traditional metaphysical concepts in capturing the true essence of Being. This gesture, known as "the crossing-out" or "Ereignis," reflects Heidegger's evolving understanding of the limitations and ambiguities inherent in language when attempting to describe or think about the fundamental nature of Being.
### Key Points of Heidegger's Gesture:
1. **Acknowledging the Inadequacy of Language**: Heidegger believed that the traditional metaphysical vocabulary, including the concept of "Being," was insufficient to express the more primordial understanding of existence that he was trying to articulate. By crossing out the word, he aimed to draw attention to the fact that even the term "Being" cannot fully capture what he meant by it. The gesture is a way of indicating that while the word is necessary for communication, it is also fundamentally inadequate.
2. **Deconstructing Metaphysical Tradition**: Heidegger's crossing-out can be seen as a deconstructive move. He wanted to distance his thought from the Western metaphysical tradition, which he believed had misunderstood and misappropriated the concept of Being by reducing it to an abstract, static concept. Heidegger sought to return to a more original experience of Being, one that is dynamic, temporal, and unfolding, which he believed could not be adequately represented by the traditional term "Being."
3. **Ereignis (The Event of Appropriation)**: In his later philosophy, Heidegger introduced the concept of *Ereignis,* often translated as "the event of appropriation" or simply "the event." This concept represents a deeper and more fundamental process by which Being comes into presence, revealing itself and withdrawing simultaneously. The crossing-out of "Being" can be seen as a way to point beyond the conventional understanding of Being toward this more dynamic process of Ereignis.
4. **A Gesture of Humility**: By crossing out "Being," Heidegger acknowledged the limitations of his own thought and the impossibility of fully grasping the essence of Being through conceptual or linguistic means. It is a gesture of humility, recognizing that any attempt to speak about Being will inevitably fall short, and that Being itself always exceeds our attempts to define or contain it.
### Conclusion:
Heidegger's crossing-out of "Being" symbolizes his effort to push beyond the constraints of traditional metaphysical language and to point toward a more original and authentic experience of existence. It reflects his belief that the true nature of Being is something that eludes definitive conceptualization, always remaining somewhat mysterious and beyond the reach of human language and thought.
