2004-2013: Last Years and Death
After the publication of Transcendental Anthropology, Polo continued correcting transcripts of past courses, conferences and articles for publication.
One fruit of this work was the publication of Nietzsche as Thinker of Dualities in 2005. This work was based on three courses given by Polo: one on Thus Spoke Zarathustra in Peru in 1988; another on Ecce homo given in Mexico in 1994; the third a doctoral course on Nietzsche given in Pamplona in 1995. In the introduction to this work, Polo makes clear that his interest in Nietzsche involves studying Nietzsche's anthropology from the perspective of his own proposal of a transcendental anthropology. This work therefore continues Polo's own investigations, but now in dialogue with one of contemporary philosophy's most influential thinkers.
Other works published in these years include,The Rational Knowledge of Reality (2004), The I (2004), The Predicamental Order (2005), The Kantian Critique of Knowledge (2005), Transcendental Freedom (2005), The Radical and Freedom (2005),The Human Essence (2006), Helping to Grow. Philosophical Questions Regarding Education (2007), The Predicamental Logos (2006), Primary Organizations and Businesses (2007), Person and Freedom (2007), Knowledge of the Physical Universe (2008), Man in History (2008), Lectures on Classical Psychology (2009), Course on General Psychology (2009), Introduction to Hegel (2010), The Essence of Man (2011), Philosophy and Economy (2012), Studies on Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (2012), and Lectures on Ethics (2013).
The increased pace of publications was paralleled by ever increasing and widespread interest in Polo's thought, giving rise to more than two hundred studies, thirty doctoral dissertations and dozens of books on his thought already during his lifetime.
Leonardo Polo's health deteriorated during the last years of his life. Still, his friends and disciples visited him frequently, sharing candy and a game of chess with him, and even engaging in brief philosophical conversations. During these last years he slowly continued making corrections to his last book, Epistemology, Creation and Divinity (published posthumously in 2014), which includes a chapter on Christology which he had drafted in 2005, but which he corrected and finished shortly before his death.
In 2008, when receiving the Cross of Carlos III prize, Polo wrote,
"With my work, I do not intend to say the final word regarding the great questions, but rather to open up a way so that those who come afterwards may find an effective and fruitful path for reaching the highest truths, convinced - as always - that the truth always guides our inquiries, and at the same time reinforces them when they are accepted and, being accepted, elevates them. With this, I must now say my last word: thank you!"
Leonardo Polo passed away early in the morning of February 9, 2013 at the age of 87.
One fruit of this work was the publication of Nietzsche as Thinker of Dualities in 2005. This work was based on three courses given by Polo: one on Thus Spoke Zarathustra in Peru in 1988; another on Ecce homo given in Mexico in 1994; the third a doctoral course on Nietzsche given in Pamplona in 1995. In the introduction to this work, Polo makes clear that his interest in Nietzsche involves studying Nietzsche's anthropology from the perspective of his own proposal of a transcendental anthropology. This work therefore continues Polo's own investigations, but now in dialogue with one of contemporary philosophy's most influential thinkers.
Other works published in these years include,The Rational Knowledge of Reality (2004), The I (2004), The Predicamental Order (2005), The Kantian Critique of Knowledge (2005), Transcendental Freedom (2005), The Radical and Freedom (2005),The Human Essence (2006), Helping to Grow. Philosophical Questions Regarding Education (2007), The Predicamental Logos (2006), Primary Organizations and Businesses (2007), Person and Freedom (2007), Knowledge of the Physical Universe (2008), Man in History (2008), Lectures on Classical Psychology (2009), Course on General Psychology (2009), Introduction to Hegel (2010), The Essence of Man (2011), Philosophy and Economy (2012), Studies on Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (2012), and Lectures on Ethics (2013).
The increased pace of publications was paralleled by ever increasing and widespread interest in Polo's thought, giving rise to more than two hundred studies, thirty doctoral dissertations and dozens of books on his thought already during his lifetime.
Leonardo Polo's health deteriorated during the last years of his life. Still, his friends and disciples visited him frequently, sharing candy and a game of chess with him, and even engaging in brief philosophical conversations. During these last years he slowly continued making corrections to his last book, Epistemology, Creation and Divinity (published posthumously in 2014), which includes a chapter on Christology which he had drafted in 2005, but which he corrected and finished shortly before his death.
In 2008, when receiving the Cross of Carlos III prize, Polo wrote,
"With my work, I do not intend to say the final word regarding the great questions, but rather to open up a way so that those who come afterwards may find an effective and fruitful path for reaching the highest truths, convinced - as always - that the truth always guides our inquiries, and at the same time reinforces them when they are accepted and, being accepted, elevates them. With this, I must now say my last word: thank you!"
Leonardo Polo passed away early in the morning of February 9, 2013 at the age of 87.
Sources
Franquet, Mª José, "Trayectoria intelectual de Leonardo Polo", Anuario filosófico, Vol. XXIX/2 (1996), 303-322.
García González, Juan, Obra de y sobre Polo, 3rd edition, Bubok, Madrid 2012.
García González, Juan, Obra completa de Polo, unpublished, 2012.
García González, Juan, Obra de y sobre Polo, 3rd edition, Bubok, Madrid 2012.
García González, Juan, Obra completa de Polo, unpublished, 2012.
