The Forgetting of Air in Martin Heidegger

In Martin Heidegger’s philosophy, “The Forgetting of Air” refers to modern humans losing an awareness of our fundamental connection to the environment—specifically, the invisible, life-sustaining presence of air. Heidegger suggests that in prioritizing technological progress and rational understanding, we forget this essential, almost taken-for-granted aspect of existence. This forgetfulness leads us to overlook our dependency on nature’s basic elements, causing a disconnection from the authentic experience of being and the world around us. Simply put, we forget the air that sustains us, which symbolizes a broader neglect of our relationship with nature.