The Theory of Community in Being and Time

Abstract

This thesis seeks to show that there is a substantive theory of community in Martin Heidegger's Being and Time. There is more to this theory of community than is commonly thought. While the importance of the structures of Being-with and authenticity is stressed, I argue that Heidegger's account of historicality from Division II, Chapter 5 is vital for any adequate understanding of the theory of community in this text. In Part 2, the theory of community in Being and Time is compared to that which Heidegger appeals to in his speech "The Self-Assertion of the German University". I argue that the two theories are very similar to one another. Having established this, I offer some criticisms of the theory of community. Heidegger's theory of community is unacceptable to those of us who accept a liberal-pluralist vision of society. The theory of community he gives in Being and Time, by appealing to monolithic notions of "people" (Volk) and "destiny" contradicts the liberal-pluralist vision.