"Letter on Humanism" is a seminal essay by Martin Heidegger, written in response to questions posed by his colleague, Jean Beaufret, about the nature of humanism and its relationship to Heidegger’s philosophy. This essay, published in 1947, provides crucial insights into Heidegger’s critique of traditional humanism and his rethinking of the role of human beings in relation to Being.
Heidegger begins by addressing the concept of humanism, which he sees as deeply rooted in the Western philosophical tradition. Traditional humanism, according to Heidegger, centers on the idea that the human being (homo humanus) is the measure of all things. This view emphasizes the value and dignity of the individual, often grounded in the belief that humans are rational beings with the capacity for self-determination. However, Heidegger argues that this conception of humanism is fundamentally flawed because it reduces human beings to a set of characteristics or functions, thereby obscuring their true essence.
For Heidegger, the primary issue with traditional humanism is that it fails to adequately address the question of Being. Humanism, in its various forms, tends to focus on the "what" of human beings—what they are, what they can do—while neglecting the "how" of their existence, which is their relationship to Being itself. Heidegger suggests that by prioritizing human-centered values, traditional humanism inadvertently perpetuates the metaphysical tradition that he critiques throughout his work, where Being is understood in terms of entities or beings, rather than as the fundamental ground of existence.
Heidegger introduces the concept of Dasein, a term he uses to describe the unique way in which human beings "are"—that is, their existence. Unlike traditional views that define humans in terms of rationality or other attributes, Heidegger’s concept of Dasein emphasizes the human being’s openness to Being. This openness is not just an intellectual or cognitive state but a fundamental way of being in the world, characterized by an attunement to the truth of Being.
In the "Letter on Humanism," Heidegger also addresses the relationship between language and Being. He asserts that language is the "house of Being," meaning that it is through language that Being is disclosed and that humans can engage with the truth of existence. For Heidegger, language is not merely a tool for communication or a means of expressing thoughts; it is the medium through which human beings relate to Being and to each other.
Heidegger critiques humanism’s emphasis on subjectivity and individualism, arguing that it leads to a forgetfulness of Being. He calls for a new way of thinking that moves beyond the limitations of humanism and metaphysics. This new way of thinking, which he refers to as "thinking of Being," involves a radical reorientation of philosophy. Instead of focusing on human beings as the center of existence, Heidegger urges us to think of human beings as "shepherds of Being," whose role is to care for and attend to the unfolding of Being itself.
Heidegger’s "Letter on Humanism" thus challenges the foundational assumptions of traditional humanism and invites a rethinking of what it means to be human. By shifting the focus from the human being as the measure of all things to the human being as a being that exists in relation to Being, Heidegger opens up new possibilities for understanding existence. He advocates for a philosophical approach that is more attuned to the complexities of Being and less constrained by the anthropocentric focus of traditional humanism.