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About this quote

What does it mean?
Philosophy must protect basic words from losing meaning and causing fake problems.
In plain terms
Keep deep words from losing meaning.
What can you take from it?
Preserve the power of key words.

Where it applies

  • teaching
  • writing
  • debate

Putting it to work

  • Use words precisely
  • Define core terms

Questions to consider

  • How do words lose meaning?
  • Why protect elemental words?

Another view

Language naturally changes over time.

More from Martin Heidegger

  1. The possible ranks higher than the actual.

    Permalink to quote #4
  2. Being is only Being for Dasein

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. In order to remain silent Da-sein must have something to say.

    Permalink to quote #3

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