The Heideggerian Idea of University: The Basics of Heidegger’s Qualms with Academic Freedom

By way of a Heideggerian account of the university, this article seeks to formulate and develop a conflict been two schools of thought—one Spengler, the other Weber—on the roles and responsibilities of academia. While Spengler emphasizes the need for the education of a nation through a spiritually cultivated leader, Weber views the university as a site of rigorous scientific methodology. This article situates Heidegger’s reaction to these thinkers both before and after his Rectorate Address at the University of Freiburg. By 1937, Heidegger claims that the university has come to an end—a reality that is neither unfortunate nor delightful, but a necessity. This article ultimately seeks to go beyond the Spengler-Weber debate and in this regard makes reference to the Derridian account of the university. In particular, this article asserts a notion of the university that is founded upon responsibility—but one that cannot be absorbed into a particular ideology.