8. Moods and Meteors: A Reconstruction of Heidegger's Atmospherology

In this episode, we discuss my paper "Moods and Meteors," which explores the ontological connection between human emotional states (moods) and atmospheric phenomena (meteors) in Martin Heidegger's philosophy. I argue that Heidegger provides a unique account where these are not separate spheres but part of a common atmosphere of "attuned elementality". I trace this development from early Heideggerian concepts like "disposedness" (Befindlichkeit) to late-stage ideas such as the "fourfold" (Geviert) of earth, sky, gods, and mortals. A key focus is placed on "aerial" mediums like air and storms as images of Being that re-orient Dasein’s relationship with the world. Ultimately, the paper suggests that in the fourfold, the traditional "ontological difference" between Being and beings is blurred. Wilde, Niels, “Moods and Meteors: A Reconstruction of Heidegger’s Atmospherology”, Human Studies, Vol. 43, No. (2020): 369-383. The quote from Heidegger is from the 1957 "What is worthy of question?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFLLymP3eiU