“Poetically, man dwells on this earth... The poetic power is the source and measure of all disclosiveness. Poetry brings being to language.”
—
Martin Heidegger
Elucidations of Hölderlin's Poetry (1944); Poetry, Language, Thought (1971)
Commentary
In his later period, Heidegger saw poetry—especially the work of Hölderlin—as a mode of truth-disclosure superior to scientific rationality. Poetry 'thinks' being differently, revealing dimensions of meaning that logic obscures. To dwell poetically is to live in attunement with Being.
This romanticizes both poetry and dwelling, and connects to problematic aspects of Heidegger's later mysticism. Yet it opened philosophical inquiry to aesthetics, language, and forms of knowledge beyond the scientific. His influence on literary theory and hermeneutics remains profound.
Commentary
In his later period, Heidegger saw poetry—especially the work of Hölderlin—as a mode of truth-disclosure superior to scientific rationality. Poetry 'thinks' being differently, revealing dimensions of meaning that logic obscures. To dwell poetically is to live in attunement with Being.
This romanticizes both poetry and dwelling, and connects to problematic aspects of Heidegger's later mysticism. Yet it opened philosophical inquiry to aesthetics, language, and forms of knowledge beyond the scientific. His influence on literary theory and hermeneutics remains profound.