In memoriam Maurice Weyembergh: “A humanist thinker with great openness to other views”

On September 11, 2025, Maurice Weyembergh passed away in Auderghem. He was emeritus professor of philosophy at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). He was 88 years old.

A remarkable academic career

Weyembergh was born on July 7, 1937, in Brussels, and built an impressive academic career. He was known for his clear and profound lectures, through which he introduced generations of students to the ideas of Nietzsche, Heidegger, Camus, and Hannah Arendt. Already in the early 1980s, he was teaching about Arendt — at a time when her work was still relatively unknown in academic circles.

International recognition

Internationally, Weyembergh gained recognition as one of the foremost scholars of Albert Camus. He contributed to the prestigious Bibliothèque de la Pléiade series by publisher Gallimard, helping edit the four-volume collected works of Camus. He was also co-author of the Dictionnaire Albert Camus, a standard reference within Camus studies.

Philosophy rooted in humanity

His philosophical work reflected a lasting interest in the human condition, freedom, and responsibility. Weyembergh combined academic rigor with social engagement, and his writings remain relevant to all who seek a critical and committed approach to philosophy.

An inspiring teacher and humanist voice

According to emeritus professor Johan Stuy and professor Adelheid Rigo, Weyembergh was “an inspiring teacher, a dedicated academic, and an insightful author — in short, a humanist thinker with great openness to other perspectives.”

The secular humanist community has lost an influential voice in the philosophical landscape. His legacy lives on through his publications, his students, and the institutions to which he devoted his life.