Abstract
In order to prepare the field for an analysis of the role played by Sein und Zeit inside Heidegger's pathway of thinking, it proves decisive to show the theoretical horizon from which this first fundamental work of his takes its start. That is why, on the basis of Heidegger's hypothesis that the experience of the 'forgetfulness of Being' constitutes the dimension from which Sein und Zeit originates, our aim is to supply a preliminary elucidation of the sense of this enigmatical locution. Therefore, our dissertation dwells upon the difference between philosophical investigation and modern scientific knowledge, insofar as the latter is methodologically grounded just on the forgetfulness of Being. Assuming that the aim of Sein und Zeit is to reawaken a sense for Being, the confrontation between the positivistic interpretation of the world and Heidegger's analyses contributes to point out the menace impending on the sense of scientific knowledge and of knowledge as such, once the phenomenon of Being is no longer perceived as the ground of any theoretical and practical comportment man may assume with regard to the world he lives in. Under this perspective we may interpret Heidegger's political engagement as rector of the University of Freiburg in 1933-1934, whose aim was to encourage a revolution of the essence of knowledge (and, consequently, of the University), which may grant each human being, apart from his race, his own place inside the spiritual community he belongs to. Although Heidegger's attempt proved disastrous and his error of judgement on Hitler tragic, his investigations on Nihilism (as accomplished forgetfulness of Being) prepare a possible way of escape to the existential uprooting operating at Hitler's time and, in a not less worrying manner, even now
