The Concept of Time in Heidegger and Gadamer

This essay analyzes the concept of time in the philosophy of
Heidegger and Gadamer in order to show its relationship with both
philosophers’ discussion on “Being”. I point out that no matter in his
early or later writings, Heidegger’s concept of time is in conflict with
his concept of understanding. Therefore, Heidegger’s quest for the
meaning of Being cannot be accomplished. In contrast the
Gadamerian concept of time makes the understanding of the meaning
of Being possible.
In the first part of this essay Heidegger’s concepts of time are
revealed by an analysis on his two major works: Being and Time and
On Time and Being. I argue that the concept of time revealed in these
two books makes the understanding of Being impossible. In the
second part Gadamer’s concept of time is discussed by an
investigation on the following terms: contemporaneity, time in
festival and fulfilled time. I show that the Gadamerian concept of
time is in harmony with the understanding of Being. Therefore
Gadamer’s philosophy can accomplish the task of illuminating the meaning of Being. Finally I show that it is justified to accept the
Gadamerian concept of time in the interpretation of Being.