But then, if any attempt “to cross the line” remains “condemned to a representation that itself supports the hegemony of the oblivion of Being”, how can man hope to finish with nihilism? Heidegger answers: “Instead of wanting to go beyond nihilism, we must finally try to enter in meditation on its essence. This is the first step that will enable us to leave nihilism behind”.

Heidegger shares Jünger’s opinion that nihilism is not comparable to evil or a disease. But he gives another significance to this observation. When he asserts that “the essence of nihilism is not nihilistic”, he means that the zone of the most extreme danger is also that which saves. The disease can also point towards the cure.

¶ 7:49 AM