Heidegger and Philosophical Tradition: Repetition and Renewal

Abstract

The article considers Heidegger’s attitude to the past philosophical tradition. In spite of his
catchy declarations about “destruction of history of ontology” and ostensible desire to stand off
any infl uence of tradition, Heidegger is, as it is shown here, much closer to the original essence of
philosophy as such than is usually believed. Two motives of his entire thought are traced here –
motive of way and motive of wakefulness, and it is demonstrated that in both of them Heidegger
may be considered as a direct heir to the Western line of Platonic-Christian philosophy and is
also very close to Buddhist philosophy in the East.