The Phenomenology of the Nothing: The Hidden Dialogue Between Conrad-Martius and Heidegger

This chapter addresses the ontological perspective regarding the issue of the Nothing through the thinking of the realist phenomenologist Hedwig Conrad-Martius (1888-1966). As many of her writings were never fully elaborated, the discussion consults the thinking of her contemporary, Martin Heidegger (1889-1976), who shares with her the phenomenological ontological orientation and especially the idea regarding the inception (Anfang) of Being in the Nothing. Based on the analysis of their thinking, the article suggests an outline of a phenomenology of the Nothing in three steps: starting by presenting the point of departure in a fundamental ontological difference, proceeding to establishing the precedence of the Nothing over the real existence, and culminating in unveiling the fundamental bond between Nothing and Being. The discussion demonstrates that the three arguments join and eventually consolidate into one metaphysical argument, according to which the Nothing precedes Being, is maintained within it, and thereby consolidates the essential finitude of reality.