Being and Time

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Max Horkheimer's years as a student and private lecturer in the 1920s and argues that he was indeed impressed by Martin Heidegger's radical teachings. It recounts Horkheimer's experience of Germany's failed socialist revolution in 1919 and his disillusionment with Max Weber's famous statements against socialism and emancipatory social theory. It also looks at Heidegger's radicalism that appeared as a genuine promise to bring philosophy back in touch with life. The chapter details how Horkheimer had grown highly critical of Heidegger as he saw Being and Time as a major competitor to his critical theory. It describes the distinguishing aspect of Horkheimer's case as he saw Max Scheler as an equally great challenge for critical theory.