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Description
Heinrich Blücher’s Last Lecture, transcript edited by Alexander Bazelow, presents a sweeping philosophical reflection on meaning, freedom, nihilism, and the unfinished task of humanity. Confronting the modern experience of meaninglessness—especially among the young—Blücher argues that philosophy’s enduring task is the transformation of life into meaningful existence through conscious thought and responsible action. He traces the historical development of nihilism and metaphysical belief from ancient myth, through Greek philosophy, Christianity, and modern systems culminating in Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche, whom he treats as prophetic figures of the modern crisis. Blücher criticizes the deification of history, science, power, and ideology, insisting that freedom cannot be imposed by necessity, systems, or commands, but must be lived and chosen by individuals. Drawing on Socrates, Zarathustra, Kant, and Jesus, he defends philosophy as an open, infinite practice rather than a source of absolute answers, and affirms man as the highest value and sole bearer of meaning. The lecture concludes with a call to abandon obsolete ideals of heroes, saints, and geniuses in favor of a renewed commitment to becoming more fully human through questioning, responsibility, and shared pursuit of truth.
Publication Date
2026
Recommended Citation
Blücher, Heinrich, "15-Last Lecture" (2026). Bazelow Transcripts. 15.
https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/blucher-bazelow-transcripts/15