I noted in my previous article on Hölderlin’s poem “Remembrance” that the modern university is metaphysical in Plato’s sense.  We might see two political science students debate the abortion issue using two equally illustrative but mutually exclusive examples or analogies to support their positions (e.g., arguing pro-life vs pro-choice).  It is this metaphysical reading of … (Part 1) Heidegger’s Reading of Hölderlin’s Poem “The Ister”

The Island The Cape Breton Liberation Army (CBLA) is a fictional entity born out of a satirical comic series called Old Trout Funnies, created by artist Paul “Moose” MacKinnon in the 1970s. This homegrown project emerged during a time when Cape Breton Island was experiencing a cultural renaissance, shaking off its historical marginalization due to … Home to Cape Breton: A Musical Reading of Martin Heidegger’s Lecture Course on Hölderlin’s Poem “Remembrance”

This is a transcript of a conversation between a teacher (me, John) and Grok 3 AI John: Hi Grok 3. Want to do some creative and critical thinking? Grok 3: Hey there! Absolutely, I’m up for some creative and critical thinking. What’s on your mind—want to brainstorm, tackle a problem, or maybe explore some wild … My Conversation About Learning With Grok 3 AI

“The Roman word res designates that which concerns somebody, … that which is pertinent, which has a bearing … In Enghsh ‘thing’ has still preserved the full semantic power of the Roman word: ‘He knows his things,’ he understands the matters that have a bearing on him … The Roman word res denotes what pertains … Hölderlin’s The Rhine (Part 3)

Ever-beautiful youth, before it withers (Holderlin, The Death of Empedocles) One point on the poem is it is not to be read as imagery combine with indication in the poem about how to interpret the imagery. [I]t presents difficulties and in the end is thoroughly mistaken if we seek to introduce a distinction between strophes … Hölderlin’s The Rhine (Part 2)

“[T]he closed essence of the universe contains no force which could withstand the courage of cognition; it must open up before it, and afford it the spectacle and enjoyment of its riches and its depths. (Hegel 1818).”  Heidegger comments: “[The] fundamental experience of Hegelian metaphysics – namely that the universe cannot withstand the courage of … Hölderlin’s The Rhine (Part 1)

I would like here to conclude my thoughts on Hölderlin’s poem Germania. It is not the case, as is popularly thought, that Parmenides taught the One while Heraclitus taught the many, since Heraclitus too taught the One.  So, for example, we gave the example previously that Life is understood in the context of death, specifically … Hölderlin’s “People” in Germania and The Rhine (Part 3 – Conclusion)

Husserl noted we never leave the present.  The past was a past present and the future will be a future present.  This moves forward as clock time.  On the other hand, as I observed in my master’s thesis on Heidegger and the Greeks (2002, pg 10), there is another experience of time moving in the … Hölderlin’s “People” in Germania and The Rhine (Part 2)

*NOTE:  If I update a post I put a note in the comment section, so just hit refresh! Last series I looked at Heidegger’s interpretation of Holderlin’s poem Germania in terms of re-thinking Greek Philosophy.  Specifically, we looked at Heidegger’s Preparatory Reflections: Poetry and Language.  In this new series I’m going to further explore Hölderlin’s … Hölderlin’s “People” in Germania and The Rhine (Part 1)

(Hölderlin by Franz Carl Hiemer, 1792) Johann Christian Friedrich Hölderlin (20 March 1770 – 7 June 1843) was a German poet and philosopher. Described by Norbert von Hellingrath as “the most German of Germans”, Hölderlin was a key figure of German Romanticism. Particularly due to his early association with and philosophical influence on Georg Wilhelm … (INDEX) How Johann Christian Friedrich Hölderlin Helped Us Rethink Ancient Thought