The calculating thought and the rationalization of existence: a dialogue between Martin Heidegger and Fyodor Dostoevsky

Abstract

This article proposes to engage in a dialogue between the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky and the German philosopher Martin Heidegger, focusing on their criticism of the planetary domination exercised by calculating thinking. The development of this analysis had as its starting point the monologue of Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground, followed by an investigation into the genesis of calculating thought determined by the forgetfulness of being according to Heidegger's philosophy. Finally, this article shows that, although there are considerable differences between the authors, the criticisms made by Dostoevsky and Heidegger maintain that the rationalization of existence promoted by the natural sciences endangers human freedom.