Husserl to Heidegger: The Crisis of Modernity Turned Postmodern

In this episode of Popular Philosophy, we dive into the relationship between Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger. Husserl, the father of phenomenology, set out to ground philosophy in the careful description of lived experience. But Heidegger—his student and eventual successor—took phenomenology in a radically new direction. He shifted the focus from consciousness to the question of Being itself, setting the stage for existentialism and influencing generations of thinkers that followed.

We’ll look at how Husserl and Heidegger first connected, the philosophical questions they shared, and where their paths diverged. Along the way, we’ll explore key concepts like:

Phenomenology – philosophy as the description of lived experience

Intentionality – consciousness is always about something

Being-in-the-world – Heidegger’s rethinking of human existence

The crisis of modernity – why these questions mattered for the 20th century

This episode sets the stage for our larger series on postmodernity, tracing how philosophy moves from Husserl and Heidegger into Derrida, Foucault, and beyond.

If you’re interested in the story of how modern thought gives way to postmodern challenges, subscribe and follow along!