Wenzel recalls lessons from DDR philosopher Wolfgang Heise
The East German singer-songwriter Wenzel reflects on his university teacher Wolfgang Heise, a DDR philosopher. He remembers cigarette smoke, conversations about Hegel and Hölderlin, and a way of thinking unafraid of contradictions. Heise encouraged students to move beyond provincialism and explore hopes in the past and foreign. The article recounts discussions at silver ashtrays between Hegel and Hager, mapping possibilities of thought. Heise's phrase "Für die Ewigkeit ist nichts" (Nothing is for eternity) is highlighted.
Key facts
- Wenzel was a student of Wolfgang Heise at university in the DDR.
- Heise was a DDR philosopher.
- Conversations involved Hegel and Hölderlin.
- Heise smoked a pipe; students smoked cigarettes.
- Heise warned against a 'fetishization of immediacy'.
- He urged students to explore hopes in the past and foreign.
- The phrase 'Für die Ewigkeit ist nichts' is attributed to Heise.
- Discussions took place at silver ashtrays between Hegel and Hager.
Entities
Artists
- Wenzel
- Wolfgang Heise