Abstract

The last decades brought along an increasing historical approach to Heidegger’s thinking in the form of biographical research and ideological critique, also philosophical historiography and history of concepts. A consequence of this process is the rediscovery of the young Heidegger, following a long period of considering Heidegger the author of a single book and many other attempts at revising its approach. The present article identifies first the two general tendencies of research. 1. The shift of the interest from the canonical texts to minor texts and historical documents. 2. The temporal regress, first to the Marburg courses,than to the Freiburg lectures and the Habilitationsschrift. The books discussed by the article shed light on the latest step of this process, that of the growing shift of interest towards Heidegger’s formation years: the religious background in Meßkirch and his studies of theology, philosophy, mathematics and natural sciences in Freiburg