The return of philosophy
“Love of wisdom” is great in Germany not only on World Philosophy Day.
Justice, happiness and human nature are just some of the existential questions that people in Germany from Aachen to Xanten will examining in panel discussions, conferences and student projects on World Philosophy Day. Since 2002, UNESCO has celebrated this day, which focuses on philosophical questions, on the third Thursday in November. Since 2005, it has been an official world day. The most important message is that critical thinking and freedom of expression are crucial for a peaceful and humane life in diversity, prosperity and justice.
The range of events in Germany is extensive, as a small selection shows: the Institute of Philosophy at RTWH Aachen University is devoting attention to the question “Need or Freedom – How open is the future?”, Theater Nuage Fou in Freiburg is presenting a dance performance on the subject “What is the human being? What is love?” and members of the Institute of Philosophy at Augsburg University will be visiting a local high school, the Holbein-Gymnasium, where they will be debating the question “What use is philosophy?” with students.
However, “thinking about thinking” is not only popular in Germany on World Philosophy Day: following the success of philosophy books, philosophy slams, new magazines and philosophical chat shows with well known authors like Richard David Precht, in summer 2013 Cologne’s first international philosophy festival, phil.Cologne, was further evidence of this trend in the land of “poets and thinkers”.
World Philosophy Day on 21 November
