‘Only those few who practise goodness believe in it’ – outdated reflections on the oldest challenge in the world.
The title of the course is an aphorism by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach. Many of her wise thoughts concern human virtues such as politeness, moderation, compassion, humility, sincerity, and gentleness. Do we, as contemporaries, still allow ourselves to be inspired by them? This is a question that the philosopher André Comte-Sponville also asked himself (""A Small Treatise on the Great Virtues"") and answered emphatically in the affirmative.
Without any pretensions to philosophical expertise– in our seminar, we want to seek out inner and outer places where an existential examination of the cosmos of virtues and values seems possible and meaningful.
An abstract topic? One that is to be inspired and expanded by rich biographical and literary documents, one that does not shy away from engaging with self-coaching literature, and whose metamorphoses can ultimately even be found in the filmic portrait of Dirk Nowitzki, ‘Der perfekte Wurf’ (The Perfect Shot).
Ralf Lilienthal
Nicht beendetes Studium Philosophie, Geschichte und Slawistik an der Universität Bochum. Ausbildung zum biologisch-dynamischen Baumschulgärtner. Selbständiger Gartenbauunternehmer. Seit annähernd 40 Jahren verantwortlicher Gärtner der UW/H. Journalistische Arbeit für verschiedene Medien (Reportagen, Interviews, Essays, Feuilleton, Kolumnen, Fachartikel, Rezensionen und Fernsehbeiträge). Projektleiter bei diversen Kultur- und Gartenprojekten. Buchautor (Garten und Kinderbücher sowie ein Buch über die "Regionalwert AG").
Objectives & Competences
Selected and differentiated topics. Broadening of horizons. Deepened personal insight, research and communication skills. Lively journalistic presentation of knowledge content.
Focus:
The topics covered on a weekly or fortnightly basis are selected (in line with the milestones of the virtues theme) in consultation with the participants' biographical perspectives on meaning. Which aspects of the comprehensive topic should be explored together? What experiences of self-efficacy can be gained from this?
Important skills:
Thorough, factually accurate research. Lively presentation of selected aspects. Translation of general questions and topics into one's own life.
Maximum number of participants
30 participants