Eric S. Nelson: Heidegger and Dao: Things, Nothingness, Freedom

Abstract

Eric S. Nelson’s Heidegger and Dao: Things, Nothingness, Freedom masterfully interweaves the philosophies of Martin Heidegger and classical Daoism, offering an intricate examination of their treatment of key concepts such as things, nothingness, and freedom. The book explores the nuanced variations and transformative interpretations of these central ideas, illuminating their profound impact on both Western and East Asian philosophical traditions. Both Asian and Western academics have long sought a book that offers a coherent and comprehensive introduction to the European reception of East Asian, and especially Daoist, philosophy, and thus one of the most significant contributions of this work is in fulfilling this need.

Keywords

• East Asian philosophy
• Daoism
• European reception