Abstract
This paper reinterprets Marcuse’s theory of civilization as a critique of traditional Greek ontology, focusing on Eros and Civilization (1955). As a result, I postulate that Marcuse intended to overcome Heidegger’s theory on “Sein zum Tode”. As a method, this paper compares Marcuse and Heidegger because Heidegger was Marcuse’s teacher from the end of 1920s to the early 1930s and Heidegger’s argument keeps on affecting Marcuse secretly.
Marcuse shares the critique of traditional ontology with Heidegger. At the same time, Marcuse examines the essence of Dasein to explore the subject for social change. Then, Marcuse describes Eros as the essence of Dasein in terms of Freud’s instinct theory locating Freud in Western philosophy (Plato). In addition, “time” is a clue to examine being in Heideggerian ontology and Heidegger criticizes the ordinary conception on time. Not only Logos but also the progressive or linear time sense are the established thought patterns of Dasein. Heidegger finds a hint in “Sein zum Tode” to overcome the ordinary conception on time. In contrast, Marcuse deals with “eternal return” to criticise the ordinary time sense. The eternal return affirms the will to eros of Dasein. Consequently, Marcuse emphasizes biological natural death, which is not irrational death, and criticises the interpretation of death in Dasein as existential moment rationally. By doing so, he intends to overcome Heidegger who is not able to escape from the framework of “Sein zum Tode”.
