Abstract

The connection between Heidegger's philosophy and his Nazi politics has been the subject of a major controversy. A comparison between Heidegger's and Patocka's philosophy and politics is instructive because, although their philosophies are very similar, their politics are diametrically opposed. Heidegger was a Nazi who never rejected his positions, while Patocka sacrificed his life for human rights. If a difference can be found between their philosophies and that difference can be connected with their politics, it may afford some insight into the philosophy of Heidegger and his followers, as well as into the connection between existentialism and politics. Following Levinas, Lyotard claimed that Heidegger went wrong by promoting ontology above morality.