What are some of the questions contemporary philosophers are addressing?

Compared to other academic disciplines, what is noticeable about philosophy is that its topics remain particularly consistent. It still deals with the fundamental questions that have preoccupied humankind for centuries. What constitutes reality? How are we supposed to interact with each other? How do we define freedom, justice, or truth? The questions themselves do not change, but the answers do.

Thales of Miletus tried to explain all of reality with a single notion: “Everything is water.” While this statement may sound somewhat absurd today, its methodological approach was revolutionary for its time. It marked an important shift from mythological to rational explanations of natural phenomena. That is why we continue to study the work of past thinkers. We examine issues addressed by philosophers such as Gottfried Leibniz, Immanuel Kant, and Hannah Arendt and consider whether their solutions are still valid today. However, the answers to the big questions about our place in the world are constantly shifting because the framework conditions – new technologies, changing ideas about nature and life, and social developments – are constantly changing. With the exception of a few isolated areas, philosophy is not a science that produces definitive results or findings. Rather, it is an ongoing process. We are constantly searching for plausible answers adapted to the current situation in order to better understand and shape our coexistence.

Why do you think that engaging with philosophy is important at any age?

A characteristic feature of philosophy is its constant examination of life and reality as a whole. Philosophy can also be described as a science of reflection because it supports critical thinking, the exchange of arguments, listening, discussion, and questioning. Philosophical discussions help humans reflect on their values and make responsible decisions, whether at school, at university, in politics, or in everyday life. In a polarized world, philosophy provides a neutral space where different perspectives can be shared in a respectful way. When adults engage in philosophical reflection and demonstrate this mindset, they inspire younger generations to do the same, fostering an environment of critical thinking and engagement. This is why I believe it is important for philosophy not only to address its questions in an academic context but to make them accessible to all age groups and demographics, for example, through outreach projects with schools, public communication, or senior citizen study programs. In this way, philosophy becomes an integral part of our daily lives and, ideally, contributes to a reflective and supportive society.

What role can philosophy play in overcoming the challenges we face today?

Assessing the role of philosophy in society is, in a sense, a philosophical question in itself and is therefore also discussed as such by philosophers. I will only mention the points that I personally consider important. Philosophy is, after all, very abstract at first glance. We don’t develop algorithms or produce new materials. However, this does not mean that philosophy cannot answer very tangible questions. On the contrary, it can help us cope with the major, often daunting issues in our lives. It does so at both the level of societal debates – for example, on sustainability or reducing poverty – and at the level of individual experience.

“Philosophy can help integrate these identities into a coherent whole so that we experience our lives as cohesive rather than fragmented.”

The topics we philosophize about vary, depending on age and personal interest. For example, children may wonder about the nature of the “world.” Does it have a beginning? Is it “infinite” or “endless?” This quickly leads to abstract concepts of space and time, as well as questions about the Big Bang and the period preceding it. In adulthood, many people start to think about death and their own mortality. However, when we approach a topic philosophically, we don’t typically arrive at ready-made solutions. Rather, we initiate a process of individual and collective reflection that provides orientation and a sense of inner peace. In many cultures, philosophy is closely linked to spirituality. Western cultures have somewhat lost sight of this, but I believe that finding stability through reflection is an important aspect of philosophy. For me, philosophical work always involves setting an example: listening, discussing, and demonstrating one’s convictions through one’s actions.

Another key aspect of philosophy is its integrative nature. Instead of limiting ourselves to specific areas, we must ask how science, morality, politics, family, and civics are interconnected. Each of us embodies different roles: family member, citizen, student, association member, cyclist, etc. Philosophy can help integrate these identities into a coherent whole so that we experience our lives as cohesive rather than fragmented. For me, this is the true and challenging task of philosophy.

What kind of research is conducted in philosophy at the University of Bremen?

Even at our small institute, we cover a wide range of topics that includes politics, medical ethics, feminism, the language we use, and scientific topics. For example, I study the concept of time. Typically, abstraction plays an important role in this. For instance, we look at very general conceptual relationships and try to identify patterns and structures. Methodologically, philosophy is pretty much a structural science, comparable to mathematics, except that philosophers document their findings differently. Our “empiricism” often consists of noticing how things fit together – or don’t – during the writing process. It is almost like doing a jigsaw puzzle. That’s when we try to discover the connections between the individual parts.

Naturally, this conceptual reflection does not happen in a vacuum. After all, we want to address questions that are relevant to our everyday lives. That is why we always also draw on content from other disciplines. For example, in my most recent research, I examined people’s relationship with new technologies and collaborated on two projects concerning AI, robotics, and space exploration. Through these projects, we examined people’s fascination with space, as well as our human urge to explore. However, an even more pressing question is how we should deal with robots and AI systems, and what the relationship between humans and machines might look like. To recognize and analyze this, I believe we need a philosophical vocabulary that goes beyond the classic human-machine dichotomy and which will certainly also require new legal approaches.

Further Information

If you would like to learn more about this topic or are interested in studying Philosophy, you can find further information on the website of the Institute for Philosophy at the University of Bremen (currently in German only).