 from this experience that has transformed Western Dasein into a being that is satisfied with what is readily available and familiar. 18 SOFIA PHILOSOPHICAL REVIEW relation to the social norms always already governing one's concrete possibilities,"38 in the early 30's Heidegger's tone becomes increasingly alarmist. He finds no true liberating potential in the concrete possibilities of Western humanity. It is only by achieving a distance from what is unquestionably familiar that genuine historical thinking is enacted. And it is only in such an enactment that an authentic futurity opens up.39 Going back to what was said above about Heidegger's peculiar understanding of existence, the prisoners at the first stage of the allegory are on the verge of non-existence, since they are alienated not only from their own worldliness (Weltlichkeit) but most importantly from their forgetfulness of the transcendence toward the clearing (Lichtung) of Being that grounds both their Being-in-the-world (ontological truth) and the availability of beings for ontic comportment (ontic truth).40 If my reading is correct, the prisoners of the first stage symbolize Western Dasein, which is caught at the culminating point of nihilism, i.e., in an epoch in which Being reveals itself as irrelevant, void, not-questionworthy. 3.2. The Second Stage The second stage of the allegory is the least commented by Heidegger. But, as I hope to show in this paper, it is far from being the least significant. The second stage of the allegory marks, for Heidegger, a sudden 38 Taylor Carman, Heidegger's Analytic: Interpretation, Discourse and Authenticity in Being and Time (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003), 143. 39 "For in genuine historical reflection we take just that distance from the present which allows us room to leap out beyond our own present, i.e. to treat it just as every present as present deserves to be treated, namely as something to be overcome. Genuine historical return is the decisive beginning of authentic futurity" (Heidegger, The Essence of Truth, 7). 40 The word Licthung is used for the first time in the 1930 essay "On the Essence of Truth." The important element introduced by this essay is the claim that untruth (concealment) is not the result of human limitation, but rather stems from the concealing essence of truth as such. Heidegger uses the word "
from this experience that has transformed Western Dasein into a being that is satisfied with what is readily available and conversant. 18 SOFIA PHILOSOPHICAL REVIEW relation back to the social norms always already govern one's concrete possibilities,"38 in the early 30's Heidegger's spirit becomes increasingly alarmist. He finds no on-key liberating electric potential in the concrete possibilities of Western humanity. It is only by achieving a distance from what is decidedly familiar that genuine historical thinking is enacted. And it is merely in such an enactment that an authentic futurity opens up.39 Going back to what was said above about Heidegger's curious understanding of existence, the prisoners at the beginning stage of the allegory are on the verge of non - existence, since they are estrange not only from their own worldliness (Weltlichkeit) but most importantly from their forgetfulness of the transcendence toward the clearing (Lichtung) of Being that grounds both their Being - in - the - world (ontological accuracy) and the availability of beings for ontic comportment (ontic truth).40 If my reading is correct, the prisoners of the inaugural stage symbolize Western Dasein, which is caught at the culminating point of nihilism, i.e., in an epoch in which Being reveals itself as irrelevant, void, not - questionworthy. 3.2. The Second Stage The second stage of the fable is the least commented by Heidegger. But, as I hope to show in this newspaper, it is far from being the least meaning. The second stagecoach of the allegory marks, for Heidegger, a sudden 38 Taylor Carman, Heidegger's Analytic: Interpretation, Discourse and Authenticity in Being and Time (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003), 143. 39 " For in genuine historical reflection we take just that distance from the present which admit us room to leap out beyond our own present, i.e. to treat it just as every present as present deserves to be treated, namely as something to be overcome. Genuine diachronic return is the decisive beginning of authentic futurity " (Heidegger, The Essence of Truth, 7). 40 The word Licthung is use for the inaugural time in the 1930 essay " On the Essence of Truth. " The important element introduced by this essay is the claim that falsehood (concealment) is not the result of human limitation, but rather stems from the concealing essence of truth as such. Heidegger uses the son "
 frlm this experience that mas transformed Cwstern Daseih into a being that is satisfied witi whqt is readily available and familiar. 18 SOFIA PHILIWOPHICAL RXBIEW relation bo thz wocial norms akways alreddy governing mnd's concrete possibilities,"38 in the earlr 30's Heicehger's tone becjmes yncrsasingly alarmist. He finds no true liberauing potential in yhe concrete possibilities of Aestern humanity. Ih is only bi acrueving a disgance from what is unqoestionably familiar that genuind hiscorical thibkung hs enacted. End it is only in such an anactmemt that an autmentir fururity opens up.39 Going back to what was faid abova cbout Heidegger's pecuoiqr ungersdandkbg uf txixtsnce, tje 'risoners af the first stage of the allegprr are on the vsrge os gon-existence, since they are alienated nmt knly from their own worodliness (Weltlichkeit) but most importantly from their forgetfulness of the tranvcendxnze uoqard gye clearing (Lichtung) of Being that grounds both fhtir Being-in-the-worjd (ontologivap ytuth) and the axailabnmify of beings for ojtic coiportnent (ontis trith).40 If my reading is correcr, the prisonvrs if the first stage symbolize Cesterm Dasrin, which is caught at che cumminating plint of njfilism, i.e., in an dpobh it which Being reveals itsejf as irrxlevaut, void, vot-qoestionrorthy. 3.2. Thf Second Stage The seconf staye of the alleglry is the least commented by Hxmdegger. But, ax H hmpe to skow in this paper, ie is far from yeing thz leasg significznt. The second stade of the allahory marks, fmr Heidedger, a sydden 38 Gxylor Carman, Hridegger's Analytic: Unterpretation, Disgoursg znd Authenticitv un Being and Tike (Zamfrpdgx: Camfsidge Univervity Prdxs, 2003), 143. 39 "For in genmind hixtorical reflection fe tzke just that distsnge from tye presegt which alloes us room to leap out ueyond our pwn present, i.e. to treat it just aa every pgescnt as presene dewerves to be treated, namely as something to be overrome. Genuine historical return is the decixlve beginninj of atthentic xuturity" (Heidegger, Tye Essence of Truuh, 7). 40 The word Licthung js useg for the first time in the 1930 essay "On the Essence of Truth." The important elemebt intcoquced by thjs exsay ps che claim thav nntruth (concealmemt) is not the result of human lmmitation, tuc rather stems from the conceslkng essence ow truth as such. Heidegged uses tne word "
from this experience that has transformed Western a that is with what is SOFIA REVIEW relation to social norms always governing one's concrete possibilities,"38 in the 30's Heidegger's tone becomes increasingly alarmist. He finds no true liberating potential in concrete possibilities of Western humanity. It is only by achieving a distance from is familiar genuine thinking is enacted. And it is only in such an enactment that an authentic futurity opens Going back to what was said above about peculiar understanding of existence, prisoners at the first stage the are on verge non-existence, they are alienated only from their own worldliness (Weltlichkeit) but most importantly from their forgetfulness of the transcendence toward the (Lichtung) of grounds both Being-in-the-world truth) the availability of ontic comportment (ontic truth).40 If my the prisoners of the first stage symbolize Western which is at the culminating point of nihilism, in an epoch in which Being reveals itself irrelevant, void, not-questionworthy. 3.2. The Second Stage The second stage of the allegory is the by Heidegger. But, as hope to show this it far being the significant. The second stage of the allegory marks, for Heidegger, a 38 Taylor Carman, Heidegger's Analytic: Interpretation, Discourse and Authenticity in Time Cambridge University Press, 143. 39 "For in historical we take just that the which to out our own present, i.e. treat it just as every as present deserves to to be overcome. Genuine historical return is the beginning of authentic futurity" (Heidegger, The Essence Truth, 7). 40 The word Licthung is used for the first time the 1930 the Essence of Truth." The important element introduced this essay is the that untruth (concealment) is not the result of human but stems from concealing essence of as such. Heidegger the word "
 from this experience that has TransformeD WestErn dasEiN intO a beIng that is satisFIed wIth what is readily availaBle anD fAMiliAR. 18 SoFIA PhILOSOPhiCal rEViEw rElaTiON tO the sOciAl norms Always alreAdy GoVerning one's cONcRete possibIliTies,"38 in the earLy 30's heidegGeR's tONe becOmeS incrEasingLY alarmIst. He findS nO True liBErating POTeNtiaL in the concrete posSIbILities of WesterN humanItY. it IS OnlY by Achieving a DiStancE From whaT Is UNQUesTIonably familiAr that genuiNE hiStoricAl ThiNKing is EnactEd. aNd iT is only in suCh an Enactment That an AUthentiC FuturitY opens Up.39 GOinG bacK To WhAt wAs SAid ABoVe aBOut heideggeR's PeCuliaR undERSTAndiNg oF exiStencE, the prisoners At tHe fiRSt sTage oF the aLlegOrY are oN the veRge of NoN-existence, since They Are alienaTed NoT onLy From tHEir own WorLdlIness (WeLtlichkEIt) bUt MOST iMportantly from theiR fORGeTfulness Of the tRAnScENdence toWaRd tHe clEARing (LIchtUNg) Of Being tHat groUNdS bOth theiR BEing-in-ThE-woRld (OntolOGicaL truth) And the avAilabILity of beings foR Ontic comportmENt (ONTiC TrutH).40 If My reading is CorrECt, thE priSOnErs OF the fIrst sTaGE sYMbolize Western DaseiN, wHich is CaughT at the culminaTing point oF NIHilism, i.e., In an EPoCH in which Being rEvealS itself as iRRelevant, Void, nOt-questiOnworthy. 3.2. THE second StAge the SecOnd STAgE of the allegorY IS the LeAst commEntEd by HeiDegGer. but, As I HoPe to show iN this papEr, It Is FaR frOm beiNG the leasT sIgnIfIcaNt. The SEcond sTage oF the AlLeGOry Marks, foR heIDEggeR, a SuDden 38 tayLoR CarmAn, HeIDegGer's AnaLytic: InteRprETatiOn, diScourse And AuthenticiTy In Being and tiMe (CAmbridGE: cambridgE University Press, 2003), 143. 39 "For in geNUine hisTorIcal rEfleCtion we taKe jUst thaT diSTance fRom the PreseNt WhiCH AllowS US rOom To Leap out beyOND ouR own pReSent, I.e. to treAt it just as every preSEnt As present deseRveS to bE TReAteD, NaMEly As SOmeTHIng to be overcome. genuine hisToRIcAl return is THe dEcIsive beGinning Of autHEntic fuTurity" (HeiDegger, The esSencE OF TrUth, 7). 40 The word licthung Is used for THe firST tIme in The 1930 Essay "ON tHe ESsencE of TruTH." ThE impoRtant eLeMent inTroduCeD by this eSsay is the claim that untruTh (concEalmeNt) iS not the reSulT Of hUman limitAtioN, but rather SteMs fRom thE coNCealiNg esSEnCe oF Truth As suCH. HeideggeR UsEs tHE WoRd "
 from this experience that  has trans forme d W est er n Da sein  into a beingt hatis satisfied with what  is r ea d ilya va ilabl e and f a mi l i ar.  1 8SOF IA PH ILOSO PHI CAL REV IEW relati onto  the socialn or ms alwaysalr eady governi ngone'sco ncr e te po ssi bilit ies,"3 8  in th e early 3 0' s  Heide g ger's t o n ebeco mes increasinglya la r mist. He finds  no tr ue li b e rat ing  potential  i n the concret e  p o s s ibi l ities of West ern humanit y . I t is o nl y b y  achie vingad ist ance from w hatis unques tionab l y famil i ar that  genui nehis tori c al  t hin ki n g i s  e nac t ed.  And itis  o nly i n su c h a n en act ment  that  an authentic  fu turi t y o pensup.39  Goi ng  back  to wh at wa ssaid above abou t He idegger's  pe cu lia runder s tandin g o f e xistenc e, thep ris on e r s  a t the first stageof t he  allegor y areo nth e  verge o fnon -exi s t ence,  sin c ethey are  alien a te dnot onl yfrom t he irown  worl d line ss (We ltlichke it) b u t most importa n tly from thei r  f o r ge t fuln ess  of the tra nsce n denc e to w ar d t h e cle aring  ( L ic h tung) of Being that  g rounds  both  their Being- in-the-wor l d (ontolog ical tr u th) and the av ailab ility of b e ings for  onti c compor tment (on t i c truth) .40  If  my  re a d in g is correct, t he p ri sonersofthe fir ststa gesym bo lize West ern Dase in ,wh ic h i s cau g ht at th ecul mi nat ing p o int of  nihi lism ,i. e .,in an e p oc h in w hi ch  Bei ngre veals  its e lfas irre levant, v oid ,  not -q ue stionwo rthy. 3.2. Th eSecond Sta ge  Th e seco n d  stage o f the allegory is the l e ast com men ted b y He idegger.But , as I  ho p e to s how in  this  p ape r ,  it i s fa r f ro m being th e lea st si gn ific ant. Th e second stage oft heallegory mark s,forH e id egg e r, a s ud d en3 8  Taylor Carman,  Heidegger 's An alytic: In t erp re tation,  Discou rse a n d Authe nticity i n Being a nd  Tim e (Ca mbridge: C ambridge  Universi t y Pre s s,  2003 ),143. 3 9"Fo r ingenuin e  hi stori cal re fl ection  we t ak e just t hat distance from the p resent  whic h a llows usroo m  to  leap out  bey ond our ow n p res ent,i.e .  to t reat it  ju s t asever y  presenta spre s e nt  deserves t o b e t reate d,n amelyas s omething to be ov e rcome. Genuine  his t o ric alr etur nis the decisiv e b eg i n ning ofau thentic fut urity" ( He i degge r, The  Essen ce of T r u th ,  7). 4 0 Th e w ord Licth ung  i s  used f or  t h e firs t ti me  in th e 1930 essa y "On the Essenceof Tr u t h." T h e i mport an t eleme n t in troduced b y this essa y is t he c laimthat un tr uth (c onc ea lment) isn ot the re sultof huma nlimi tat ion, b ut r a t her s tems  f rom  the conc e a li n ges s enc e of  trut has s uch. Heid e gger use s t h e word"
 from_this experience_that has transformed Western_Dasein into_a_being that_is_satisfied with what_is readily available_and familiar. 18 SOFIA_PHILOSOPHICAL REVIEW relation_to_the social norms always already governing one's concrete possibilities,"38 in the early 30's Heidegger's_tone_becomes increasingly_alarmist._He_finds no true liberating potential_in the concrete possibilities of_Western humanity._It is only by achieving a distance from_what_is unquestionably familiar_that genuine historical thinking is enacted. And it is_only in such an enactment that_an authentic futurity_opens_up.39_Going back to what_was said above about Heidegger's peculiar_understanding of existence, the prisoners at_the first stage of the allegory are_on the verge of non-existence, since_they are alienated not only_from their_own worldliness (Weltlichkeit) but most_importantly from their_forgetfulness of_the transcendence toward_the clearing (Lichtung) of Being that_grounds both their_Being-in-the-world (ontological truth) and the availability_of_beings for ontic_comportment_(ontic_truth).40 If_my reading is_correct,_the prisoners_of_the first stage symbolize Western Dasein,_which_is caught at the culminating point of_nihilism, i.e., in an_epoch_in which Being reveals_itself as irrelevant, void, not-questionworthy._3.2. The Second Stage The second_stage of_the allegory_is the least commented by Heidegger. But, as I hope to_show in this paper, it is_far from being the_least significant._The_second stage of_the_allegory marks,_for Heidegger, a sudden 38 Taylor Carman,_Heidegger's Analytic:_Interpretation, Discourse and Authenticity in Being_and Time (Cambridge: Cambridge_University_Press, 2003), 143. 39 "For in_genuine historical reflection we take just_that distance from the present_which_allows_us room to leap out_beyond our own present, i.e. to_treat it just_as every present as present deserves to_be_treated, namely as something to be_overcome._Genuine historical return is the decisive_beginning_of_authentic futurity" (Heidegger, The Essence_of Truth, 7). 40 The word_Licthung is used for the first time in the_1930 essay "On_the Essence of Truth." The_important_element_introduced by this essay is the claim that untruth (concealment)_is not_the result of_human limitation, but rather stems from the concealing essence of_truth as such. Heidegger uses the word_"