Societies, like individuals, are shaped by their understanding of existence and their engagement with the world. Martin Heidegger’s concept of Dasein literally “being-there” offers profound insight into the collapse of societies. At its core, Dasein refers to the human capacity to be aware of and question existence, to take responsibility for being, and to shape the world through meaningful engagement. Heidegger’s notion of the “return of Dasein” sheds light on why societies falter when they lose their existential footing.

Heidegger saw modernity as a time of forgetfulness, where Dasein becomes detached from its authentic potential. In modern societies, technological advancement and consumerism often lead individuals to prioritize utility and convenience over deeper existential questioning. This creates what Heidegger calls the “they-self,” where people conform to societal norms and expectations, abandoning their authentic being. Societies that are dominated by the “they-self” operate on autopilot, driven by economic metrics, technological efficiency, and superficial values rather than a collective sense of meaning and purpose.

The collapse of such societies stems from a failure to return to Dasein. According to Heidegger, the return of Dasein requires confronting our finitude and rediscovering the temporality of existence. Societies collapse when they lose touch with their shared historical and existential roots. Instead of cultivating a collective understanding of their place in the world, they drift into what Heidegger calls Seinsvergessenheit—the forgetfulness of being. This forgetfulness manifests in a culture of alienation, where individuals feel disconnected from themselves, their communities, and the world around them.

To prevent collapse, Heidegger’s philosophy suggests the need for societies to reawaken their sense of Dasein. This involves stepping away from blind conformity and technological obsession to reflect on the fundamental questions of existence: Who are we? What does it mean to be? How do we relate to the world and to one another? Heidegger argues that this return requires embracing the anxiety that comes with confronting our mortality, as it is through this confrontation that Dasein can rediscover authenticity.

The fall of societies is not merely a political or economic event; it is an existential crisis. When a society forgets its shared being, it loses its cohesion and collapses into fragmentation. The return of Dasein both as individuals and as a collective offers a path toward renewal, one that emphasizes authenticity, historical reflection, and a reconnection with the deeper meaning of existence.