Heidegger's conception of poetic dwelling through appropriation of history

Abstract

This paper explores the significance of poetic dwelling in Martin Heidegger's later thought in terms of its relevance to the essence of truth and his notion of the fourfold as world's disclosure. Heidegger emphasizes that the poetic provides us with a better understanding of our modern era, which is notable by the oblivion of Being. He regards history as a homecoming, which manifests itself when we remember that we are in a dialogue with the destining of Being. After clarifying the relationship between poetic dwelling and appropriation of history whilst referring to Friedrich Holderlin's hymn, "The Ister" ("Der Ister"), this paper argues that according to Heidegger, the precondition of participating in history is learning to listen and respond to the address of Being; which is only possible via the poetic which enables us to feel home and genuinely dwell on this earth.