Thrownness
Thrownness (German: Geworfenheit) is a concept introduced by German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889–1976) to describe humans’ individual existences as being ‘thrown’ (geworfen) into the world.
In Heidegger’s philosophy, “thrownness” (Geworfenheit) refers to the fundamental, involuntary condition of being cast into a specific existence—a particular time, place, culture, and family—without choosing it. This involuntary state, which forms the inescapable backdrop of our lives, means that much of our life is already pre-defined by circumstances beyond our control, yet we must still find ways to create meaning and act authentically within these given conditions.
Key Aspects of Thrownness
- Involuntary Existence: We are “thrown” into the world and its circumstances, such as our birth, family, historical moment, and social context.
- Dasein and Finitude: As Dasein (Heidegger’s term for human existence), we are characterized by our finitude and the “that it is” of our being, meaning we are stuck with and must confront the way we exist.
- Contextual Reality: Our existence is shaped by a pre-existing world and a past that has already occurred, forming the conditions and possibilities for our present and future.
- Challenge for Authenticity: Recognizing our thrownness, along with its limitations, is a crucial step toward authenticity, as it compels us to make meaningful choices and act within the constraints of our situation rather than simply being passively carried along.
How it Relates to Freedom and Projection
While thrownness highlights our lack of control, Heidegger connects it to freedom and authenticity through the concept of projection (Entwurf).
- Seizing Possibilities: Through understanding, we can “throw off” our thrown condition by seizing our possibilities and making deliberate, concrete choices within our given situation.
- Freedom as Action: Freedom, for Heidegger, is not an abstract concept but the experience of demonstrating our potential by acting authentically in the world, given the circumstances of our thrownness.
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[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DFnLPyMseeO/
[2] https://that-which.com/what-does-heidegger-mean-by-daseins-thrownness/
[4] https://www.openhorizons.org/thrownness-and-kindness-a-note-on-heidegger-and-whitehead.html
[6] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/jun/29/religion-philosophy