What moods reveal : Heidegger on wonder and anxiety

Stresz. ang. s. 52

In this paper I analyse the revelatory power of the fundamental moods as it is presented in Heidegger’s texts. I concentrate on two of them, wonder and anxiety, which are probably the most important for Heidegger. He argues that being affected by these moods can give us access to specific knowledge about beings. By comparing this kind of knowledge with that of metaphysics, science and everyday life, I try to bring to light its specificity. Generally speaking, moods make it possible to us experience things as they really are, see what they are in their truth. Heidegger maintains that this experience and this understanding not only tell us something important about the nature of beings and our way of knowing them, but can also have great impact on all aspects of our life.