Question

In Martin Heidegger’s Being and Time, which among the following correctly describe Dasein?

• A. Inquiring is one of the possibilities of Dasein’s Being.
• B. Understanding of Being is a definite characteristic of Dasein’s Being.
• C. Dasein always understands itself in terms of its existence.
• D. Dasein is closest to us but it is not we ourselves.

Hint:

Dasein is defined by existence, possibility, and understanding rather than essence.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, C

Step 1: Meaning of Dasein.
In Being and Time, Heidegger uses Dasein to refer to the being for whom Being is an issue.
Step 2: Inquiring as a possibility.
Questioning and inquiry are existential possibilities of Dasein, making option (A) correct.
Step 3: Understanding of Being.
Dasein is distinguished by its pre-ontological understanding of Being, validating option (B).
Step 4: Self-understanding.
Dasein understands itself in terms of its existence and possibilities, not as a fixed essence. Hence, option (C) is correct.
Step 5: Evaluation of option (D).
Heidegger explicitly states that Dasein is ourselves, not something external to us, making option (D) incorrect.
Step 6: Conclusion.
Therefore, options (A), (B), and (C) correctly describe Dasein.