Existential temporality reveals the interconnectedness of past, present, and future from "summary" of Being and Time by Martin Heidegger
Existential temporality discloses the interconnectedness of past, present, and future in a way that fundamentally shapes our understanding of Being. It is not merely a linear progression from one moment to the next, but rather a dynamic relationship that reveals the essence of human existence.
The past is not something that is simply behind us, but rather something that continues to shape and influence our present being. Our past experiences, memories, and actions are not isolated events, but rather threads that weave together to form the fabric of our existence. They are not relegated to a distant past, but rather live on in us, constantly informing our present choices and decisions.
Similarly, the future is not merely a blank canvas waiting to be filled, but rather a horizon towards which we are constantly oriented. Our present actions and decisions are not made in a vacuum, but rather in anticipation of future possibilities and potentialities. The future is not something separate from us, but rather something that we are always moving towards, even if we are not fully aware of it.
In this way, the present moment is not just a fleeting instant, but rather a nexus where past, present, and future come together in a dynamic unity. It is the point at which our past experiences intersect with our future possibilities, shaping our present understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The present is not a static point in time, but rather a rich tapestry of interconnected moments that reveal the depth and complexity of human existence.
By understanding the interconnectedness of past, present, and future, we come to see that human existence is not a series of isolated events, but rather a continuous unfolding of Being. We are not merely passive observers of time, but active participants in its ongoing movement. Our past informs our present, our present shapes our future, and our future influences our past in a never-ending cycle of temporal becoming.
