The Will to Power: Also an introduction to philosophy
‘Where I found life, I found the will to power.’ This is how Nietzsche describes the omnipresence of a trait that is one of humanity's problematic talents. Self-determination is experienced as external control, which provokes resistance. Power means being able to assert oneself against forces, to shape and change things beyond the inertia of all those who have something to lose in the process. Behind every tension between nations, genders or generations, government and citizens, power asymmetries can be suspected. Power speaks in symbols, hints or threats. In relation to violence, however, power will hold back and choose exactly the dose necessary for its preservation. Where violence is used without restraint, powerlessness already lurks. So is power inherently evil, as Nietzsche's Basel colleague Jacob Burckhardt asked? One can renounce power without losing it. Even the ancients knew this greatest of all gestures of power as pardon.
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Werner
Fragt man Jürgen Werner nach seinem Beruf, erzählt er manchmal eine Episode aus dem Film „Jules et Jim“ von François Truffaut: In einem Eisenbahnabteil sitzend begegnen die beiden Titelhelden einander, woraufhin der eine den anderen anspricht und wissen will, was der denn von Beruf sei. „Ich bin ein Neugieriger“, bekommt er zur Antwort. „Das ist doch kein Beruf“, zeigt sich der erste verwundert. Doch er wird beschieden: „Aber das wird mal einer“. – Alle Neugierigen finden mehr unter www.juergen-werner.com/leben.
Objectives & Competences
What is expected:
A desire to think, an interest in philosophy.
Expected learning outcomes:
Thinking and understanding.
Maximum number of participants
30 participants