Finitude e morte: o “ser-para-a-morte” de Heidegger como limite e horizonte da compreensão humana

Abstract

This research revolves around the question of a more experiential understanding of human existence from the perspective of finitude. Assuming that every human understanding of oneself, others, and the world around us arises not only – and exclusively – from reason but also – and fundamentally – from all its vital, historical, and cultural aspects that constitute finite human existence and its world of relationships, this research will focus on the analysis of the human reality that presents itself as the most evident index of finitude: death. For this, we will employ the phenomenology-hermeneutics of the German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889-1976). In this approach, the author seeks a "return to the things themselves," meaning that he does not aim to define the phenomenon in pre-existing categories already taken as evident. Instead, he primarily seeks to approach the phenomenon from the most experiential and original level as it reveals itself and is perceived by us. In this sense, through phenomenology-hermeneutics, Heidegger suggests that human existence reveals itself fundamentally as Dasein, or "being-there”. Once in existence, Dasein already reveals itself as a "being-towards-death”. Its existence unfolds within the bounds of temporality and mortality. Death, in turn, is not a reality external to the existence of Dasein, as if it came from outside and visited it at a certain moment in its life. Instead, death, as an intrinsic reality to the existence of Dasein, is the most certain, irremissible, and insurmountable possibility. Therefore, death reveals itself as a unique reality for each Dasein, and through it, existence always shows itself as an increasingly personal reality. Therefore, this research posits the hypothesis that death – understood within the framework of "being-towards-death" – unveils and releases a more authentic understanding of human existence. This understanding does not generalize or define existence based on pre-existing concepts but rather starts from human existence itself at its most personal and experiential level. "Being-towards-death" reveals that human existence can never be confined within a preconceived conceptual framework but always manifests as a possible, open, unique reality, and, most importantly, as an increasingly personal reality. Based on this, we believe that by reclaiming the finite ground of human existence through the understanding of "being-towards-death," we can once again bring available psychologies – and the psychologist's practice in the clinical setting – to the mode of being in human existence that is most inherent: being open to possibilities and the human characteristic of not closing oneself off to determinisms that can cause suffering. We think that by reclaiming this finite ground often concealed by the conception of a self-sufficient "thinking subject", human existence can be experienced in a more dynamic, historical, open, and responsible manner. Contemplating death and finitude restores in the human being an attitude of responsibility toward life—a life that is open and always possible, constructing and deconstructing itself, where the human being is continually compelled to "gain oneself or lose oneself”.