In this unique and innovative contribution, Eric S. Nelson offers a systematic consideration of the German language translations and interpretations that shaped Heidegger's engagement with Daoism.

Encompassing numerous forgotten and recently published historical sources, including Heidegger's Daoist related reflections in his recently published lectures and notebooks that have not yet been considered in the literature on Heidegger and East Asian philosophy, Nelson presents a critical Daoist interpretation of Heidegger.

He interprets the intersections and differences between the Daodejing, the Zhuangzi, and Heidegger's philosophy and analyzes the linguistic and conceptual shifts in Heidegger's thinking that correlate with his encounters and interactions with Daoist, Buddhist, and East Asian sources and interlocutors. This critical reinterpretation with and beyond Heidegger of early Daoist and classic Chinese Buddhist sources, provides a reimagining of the thing and nothingness.

By focusing on Heidegger, Daoism, and the thing and examining Heidegger's thinking of nothingness, emptiness, and the clearing in relation to Daoist and Buddhist philosophy and his early intercultural reception, Nelson presents a new perspective for understanding the Daoist philosophical positions and ideas.