Quarterly Scientific Journal of Audio-Visual Media

Quarterly Scientific Journal of Audio-Visual Media

An Approach to Understanding the Nature of Media in Heidegger’s Thought Through Understanding Language

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
mohammad reza shafiesarvestani 1
seyyed mohammad mahdi mousavimehr 2
mohsen karami 3
1 M.A. in Philosophy of Media, Department of Philosophy of Media, Faculty of Religion and Media, IRIB University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies , IRIB University, Tehran, Iran. (Corresponding Author)
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Religion and Media, Religion and Media Faculty, IRIB University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22085/javm.2025.506004.2283
Abstract
Paying attention to media from a philosophical perspective can be of great help in understanding and utilizing it appropriately. In this article, one of the most important topics in media philosophy - namely, the essence of media - is examined by looking at the views of Martin Heidegger, which can be useful in reaching an independent and indigenous theory. The main question is whether, according to Heidegger, the media has an essence? To reach the answer to this question, Heidegger's views have been examined using philosophical analysis method and with the mediation of two media philosophers - Gunkel and Taylor. Understanding what the media is has been done by looking at one of the most important topics in Heidegger's philosophy – namely, language - and the relationship between the concept of language and media has been analyzed. In the following, it was attempted to analyze the two perspectives of essentialism and instrumentalism according to the views of media thinkers based on the new type of understanding that is obtained from language. Finally, it was shown that media are not simply communication tools that relay existing information, but function as direct and active participants in revealing the existence of things that are thought to merely represent them. For Heidegger, construction and disclosure in all kinds of technology - and in particular, media - both language and new media, have marked the era of the world image, and ultimately everything in the world is realized through mediatization. But at the same time, given these linguistic characteristics, it is possible to use media for openness and poetry.
Keywords
Media, Tool, Language, Heidegger, Media Philosophy
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