Samuel Swenson-Reinhold: Gadamer & Heidegger

 Now I don't have a citation for this, because I copied down the quotation in class. But Gadamer states that the "mirror of language is reflecting everything that Is," which makes me think about Heidegger's own thoughts on language. Without getting too far into Heidegger's philosophy, I see a connection between the two thinkers insofar as they both suggest something about a disclosure and clearing of being via language. However, I think that Gadamer sees language as more of a utility tool, whereas Heidegger sees us as thinking we have control over language (as people and storytellers). 

It is interesting to consider how language really does reflect the prosaic, moving us closer to these myths that might also reflect a 'mundane' but don't present that way. Heideggerian thought seems to suggest that language, as the "house of Being" (and my understanding of Heidegger is one that is still growing), is what helps us realize our place in the universe. So it isn't something of utility as a tool for Heidegger, but it serves a purpose similar to what Gadamer is suggesting. Except Gadamer seems more concerned with language as a reflection of the prosaic than a reflection of that which brings us wonder (as Heidegger would likely suggest). 

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