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M odern E uropean philosophy, metaphysics Heidegger 's distinction, two levels of analysis of Dasein. The ontic level is concerned with the concrete, specific, and local matter of Dasein , that is, the factual matter open to observation, which Heidegger calls existentiell. The ontological level is, on the other hand, concerned with the deep structure that underlies and instantializes the ontical or existentiell matter and provides a phenomenological description. This deep structure is called by Heidegger existentiale. Dasein has three main existentiales, namely existentiality, facticity , and fallingness. The problem of traditional metaphysics is to confuse these two levels by taking being as entity. Heidegger's own fundamental ontology is both ontical, that is, the analysis of the actual existence of Dasein , and ontological, that is, the analysis of the general conditions of possibility for existence. This is because Dasein itself is both ontical (as an entity), and ontological (the only entity that can ask the question of Being). In these terms, his thought contrasts with Husserl 's phenomenology, which brackets the phenomenon. “By indicating Dasein 's ontico-ontological priority in this provisional manner, we have grounded our demonstration that the question of Being is onticoontologically distinctive.” Heidegger, Being and Time ... log in or subscribe to read full text