Blauer Salon
Crisis of the Enlightenment

Michael Hampe, born in 1961, studied philosophy at Cambridge and Heidelberg, as well as biology at Heidelberg. He subsequently taught in Dublin, Kassel, and Bamberg, and has been a professor of philosophy at ETH Zurich since 2003, he was a member of the Center »History of Knowledge« there. The scope of Hampe’s philosophical reflections is very broad, ranging from works on modern philosophy, pragmatism, the philosophy of science, and the role of storytelling in philosophy to philosophicalliterary works that address questions of happiness, life, or nature—and in which philosophy is understood not merely as an academic discipline but reflects on its significance for practical life.

In conversation with the Jena-based philosopher Christoph Demmerling, Michael Hampe will discuss theses from his book “Crisis of the Enlightenment”, published in 2025. The Enlightenment has undoubtedly brought about tangible progress, but it has also led to destruction and violence. It has provided guidance, but it has also caused a loss of direction. Under what conditions can the Enlightenment continue as a way of life? What are the particular challenges facing enlightened thought and action in our present day? The conversation will explore these and other questions and delve deeper into the topics in a discussion with the audience.