2. Philosophy - Stefano Franchi

T HE GREAT BEYOND
completion. This is why the two readings of end as completion and as of “failure” may
come together in a common place. The “end“ takes place in that place achieved by the com-
pletion of philosophy by Hegel (according to Heidegger). In other words: it is only when
and if the end as completion takes place, when the circle has achieved itself and reached its
beginning that a different place starts to appear, a space for thinking that is not philosophy
as metaphysics.
The crucial question, then, is to ask what happens at and in that place, in that space
where the end happens. What happens at the end is also, and necessarily, an end and a new
beginning. To put it differently: if the distinction between completion and perfection put
forth by Heidegger has any validity, then the space for thinking as non-metaphysics can
take place only in that difference between the two, in that fissure between completion and
perfection that do not come together in Hegel’s circle. A difference that can become mani-
fest only by reflecting on the structure and shape and inner necessity of that place, of that
end that philosophy reaches.
Thus, to join our previous discussion, it follows that if that end as completion at the
summit of the Hegelian circle assumes the shape of game or play structure, the Heidegge-
rian question can be rephrased in the following forms: What is left unthought in that game
and play? What is the structure of that play? Who plays it? etc. As a consequence, it would
not be surprising to find so much engagement with the concept of play if that concept is
what comes to light at the end and in the end. It would not be surprising because it seems
to follow from what I have been saying so far that play, Spielen, is both ends. Play is a
bridge of sort, or rather an open space, in the sense that by being at the end it would allow
us to understand both the completion of philosophy and to open a space for a non-philos-
ophy. Play becomes crucial because, being the completion (or its structure) brings us back
to the original possibility (to express it in Heidegger’s words). It would take us back to a
beginning that opens the space for a leap beyond.
What I would like to stress here, is that closure and freedom of movement within an
enclosed space bring about the notion of play, but such a notion is meaningful only after
the closure itself—or the end, which is the same—have been reached. Spiel becomes then
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