CHAPTER 3: DASEIN AND TEMPORALITY
(its presence) in terms of its potentiality as such [in seinem Seinkönnen als solchem]. This potentiality is in each case oriented towards something. The dry, hard timber in the workshop can become a table. To the extent that this potentiality is present-at-hand [vorhanden] in the full scope of its potential, in other words, if the timber is being 'worked on' and for as long as this is so, the timber is in motion. So the specific capacity for forward movement in the shadow cast by the gnomon is present at hand; the shadow moves(1) from place to place. The concernful watching that traces(2) the moving shadow says: now here, now here. This now-saying entails a close look at the before and after of places - the sequence of places. Now-saying addresses the moving shadow with regard to its presence [Anwesenheit] and makes this presence explicitly accessible.(3) [79] Through the contrast between one Now and another, in each case the entire 'there' of the moving shadow is made available to us.
Now-saying involves 'counting'.(4) We must take a phenomenological view of the basic function of ordinary counting as the uncovering and making available of that which is present [Anwesendes] in its presentness [Anwesenheit]. To count is to render present.(5) What is 'counted' with regard to what is moved are the 'Nows'. τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν ὁ χρόνος, ἀριθμὸς κινήσεως κατὰ τὸ πρότερον καὶ ὕστερον. (219 b 1 sq.) For this is what time is: those aspects of motion that we count with regard to before and after. We can see here the foundation of what has become the traditional concept of time as a moment by moment downstream flow (succession). Whether the Nows are 'counted' in terms of physical objects or psychological processes and 'data', it is always the 'time' we encounter in our expectant concern [gewärtigenden Besorgen] that we take account of. To count is to render present. Hence the ontological proto-history [ontologische Ursprungsgeschichte] of the concept of time* shows that even
(1) moves - the presence of its particular capacity.
(2) opens up - uncovers, gives notice
(3) counting addresses something and, as such, expresses itself.
(4)
here we must differentiate between
the example geared towards the definition of time
and the example intended to clarify the measuring function of the defined time.
(5)
how? with respect to how many times that which is present at hand is there –
the occurrence of the measuring unit
* Since relativity theory contemplates the foundations of the determination of time, 'time' itself must come into sharper focus in its investigations.i In particular, the studies by H. Weyl, whose basic ideas are informed by phenomenology, show a tendency to develop mathematics ever more originarily with an eye to the phenomenon of time. The author owes valuable insights on this topic to his 'fellow student' [Mitschüler] from the Freiburg period, Privatdozent Dr 0. Becker. With his permission, I share some of these insights here.ii i make clearer ! ii superfluous since Becker himself on mathematical existence.
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