Yes, we can say that Heidegger found a certain solace in the concepts of the Fourfold (das Geviert) and Gelassenheit, especially in the later period of his philosophy. These ideas represent his attempt to articulate a way of being that is more attuned to the essence of Being, offering a response to the alienation and domination of technological enframing (Gestell). Let’s explore how these concepts reflect a potential solace for Heidegger:
1. The Fourfold (das Geviert)
• What is the Fourfold?
• In his later thought, Heidegger introduced the concept of the Fourfold, which describes the unity of four elements:
• Earth: The grounding element, representing the material and finite.
• Sky: The realm of possibilities, openness, and the transcendent.
• Divinities: The gods or the sacred, evoking awe and reverence.
• Mortals: Human beings, who dwell between life and death, aware of their finitude.
• The Fourfold as Harmony:
• The Fourfold represents a harmonious interplay of these elements, in contrast to the fragmentation of modern life under technological enframing.
• Heidegger saw the Fourfold as a way to reimagine dwelling—a state where humans exist in attunement with Being.
• Solace in the Fourfold:
• The Fourfold offers a vision of a world where humans are no longer alienated but are deeply integrated with the sacred, the natural, and the cosmic.
• It provides a path to overcome the disconnection and disorientation caused by modern technology.
2. Gelassenheit (Releasement)
• What is Gelassenheit?
• Gelassenheit, or “releasement,” is a concept Heidegger uses to describe an attitude of letting-be:
• It means neither controlling nor resisting but instead allowing things to unfold in their essence.
• It reflects a move away from the willful domination of nature and Being, characteristic of technological thinking.
• Releasement as Solace:
• Gelassenheit embodies a quiet surrender to the flow of Being, encouraging humans to live with openness and humility.
• It offers solace by freeing individuals from the compulsion to control or master the world, allowing them to dwell peacefully within it.
• Connection to Eastern Thought:
• Some have noted parallels between Gelassenheit and Daoist or Zen principles, such as non-attachment and the harmony of action and inaction, suggesting a universal dimension to Heidegger’s later thinking.
3. Solace Through Dwelling
• Heidegger’s later philosophy emphasizes dwelling (Wohnen) as the way humans can exist meaningfully in the world.
• Dwelling, guided by the Fourfold and Gelassenheit, allows humans to:
• Restore harmony with the natural and sacred world.
• Overcome alienation caused by technological enframing.
• Find peace in the simplicity and immediacy of Being.
4. Heidegger’s Reconciliation with Technology
• While Heidegger was critical of the technological enframing of modernity, Gelassenheit and the Fourfold do not reject technology outright.
• Instead, they propose a way to live alongside technology without being dominated by it:
• By adopting Gelassenheit, humans can relate to technology in a manner that respects its place within the Fourfold rather than reducing the world to mere resources.
5. A Qualified Solace
• Not Absolute Peace:
• Heidegger’s philosophy does not offer a final resolution or a utopian vision of existence. The tension between concealment and unconcealment in Being remains.
• However, the Fourfold and Gelassenheit provide a practical and philosophical attitude that allows humans to live more harmoniously with the mystery of Being.
• The Solace of Attunement:
• The solace Heidegger found was not in certainty but in attunement—a way of being that aligns humans with the rhythms and mysteries of the world.
6. Conclusion
We can say that Heidegger found a form of solace in the Fourfold and Gelassenheit, as they represent his vision of a more harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and Being. These concepts offer a way to move beyond the alienation of modernity, embracing an attitude of humility, reverence, and dwelling. While Heidegger’s work never resolves the tensions of existence, it provides a framework for peaceful coexistence with the mystery of Being, making the Fourfold and Gelassenheit central to his later philosophy.
Would you like to explore how these ideas relate to other thinkers or practical life?
