Husserl’s final words returned to philosophy’s renewal.

Evidence

His mind failed him in his last few months; he spoke little, but occasionally said things like ‘I’ve made many mistakes, but it can still all turn out well,’ or ‘I’m swimming in the River of Lethe and have no thoughts.’ Then, with a flash of his old ambition, he said, ‘Philosophy has to be built up all over again from the beginning.’ — Sarah Bakewell, At the Existentialist Café, 324

Categorization

• CANDY: A poignant, morally textured deathbed scene — ‘I’ve made many mistakes, but it can still all turn out well’ — that a reader could retell conversationally.
• FICTION: The dying declaration that philosophy must be rebuilt from scratch is a powerful motif for a character who clings to their life’s mission as identity dissolves.
• XREF: connects to: Philosophy advances by continually reinterpreting its past classics

Broader Connections

• Philosophy advances by continually reinterpreting its past classics #exemplifies (0.75)