Lecture series 1-5: “Flourishing”

As part of Friedensau's 125th anniversary, Friedensau Adventist University is inviting renowned lecturers to give a series of public, interdisciplinary lectures.
Under the overarching theme of “Flourishing: the good life from an interdisciplinary perspective”, various approaches will be explored on how people can flourish in different areas of life.
Join us and discover new impulses for a successful life!

All lectures will take place on site in the auditorium and will be broadcast in German via Zoom.

When?

13.11.2024 | 20.11.2024 | 27.11.2024 | 4.12.2024 | 11.12.2024

Where?

Participation is possible on site and online via Zoom.
For online participation, please register to receive your participation link.

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LECTURE 1
13 November 2024 | 7 p.m.

Prof. Dr. Friedemann Schulz von Thun (Hamburg)

“A fulfilled life - How looking at your own life path contributes to this?”

“A fulfilled life” is the title of Friedemann Schulz von Thun's late work. In it, the experienced communication psychologist creates a kind of coordinate system for a successful life with references to his own biography. In his lecture, we will find out what role our wishes, meaningful tasks, our attitude to important events in our lives, our ability to wonder and find ourselves play in this.

The lecture will be held in German language. A translation into English will be provided on site.
If you participate via Zoom, the lecture will be transmitted in German.

Participation via Zoom

Register here

Friedemann Schulz von Thun | Vortrag zur Ringvorlesung 2024

Friedemann Schulz von Thun

(*1944) studied psychology, education and philosophy in Hamburg and completed his doctorate in 1973 on intelligibility. From 1976 to 2009, he held a professorship in educational psychology in Hamburg. With models such as the communication square (also known as the four-beak-ear model) and the inner team, he played a key role in shaping communication psychology as well as the popular understanding of talking to each other.

LECTURE 2
20 November 2024 | 7 p.m.

Dr. phil. Jill Philine Blau (ThHF)

"Commoning – Does sharing more lead to a better life?"

The concept of the commons is currently receiving increased attention both academically and politically. It is discussed as a transformative force that enables a different perspective on socio-ecological and socio-cultural structures beyond the market-state dichotomy. Far from this macro perspective, however, commons are usually very local, sophisticated social structures. Viewing natural resources as common goods/commons therefore entails a more holistic view of people and their environment. This lecture discusses how and in what form these are strongly linked to concepts of the good life and flourishing, and what potentials arise from this.

The lecture will be held in English language. A translation into German will be provided on site.
If you participate via Zoom, the lecture will be transmitted in German.

Participation via Zoom

Register here

Bild der THH Friedensau

Dr. phil. Jill Philine Blau

is a graduate of Sussex University and the Hertie School and holds a doctorate from the Free University of Berlin. She leads the M.A. Development Studies Online program at Friedensau Adventist University for professionals in the humanitarian/development sector. She conducts research on issues of social justice, commons and commoning and how people fare when working in self-organization. She advises private and state actors in the areas of commoning and social justice.

LECTURE 3
27 November 2024 | 7 p.m.

Prof. Dr. Philipp Altmann (Universidad Central del Ecuador)

“Buen vivir - What we can learn about the good life from indigenous Latin American traditions.”

Does the economy always have to grow? Does good development always mean having and achieving more? Today's social and ecological challenges are prompting scientists and activists to question the dominance of the growth dogma. The concept of Buen Vivir (“Good Life” or “Living Well”) plays a special role in these debates, as it was developed in the context of indigenous movements in Latin America. The lecture shows how this concept is taken up and dealt with in the networks and positions of German growth critics in order to develop ideas of a good life.

The lecture will be held in German language. A translation into English will be provided on site.
If you participate via Zoom, the lecture will be transmitted in German.

Participation via Zoom

Register here

Philipp Altmann | Vortrag zur Ringvorlesung 2024

Prof. Dr. Philipp Altmann

(*1982) studied sociology, ethnology and Spanish philology at the University of Trier and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. He completed his doctorate in sociology at the Free University of Berlin in 2013 with the thesis “The Indigenous Movement in Ecuador. Discourse and decoloniality”. He has been Professor of Sociological Theory at the Universidad Central del Ecuador since 2015 and conducts research on the dissemination of ideas and concepts, social movements and the development of sociology.

LECTURE 4
4 December 2024 | 7 p.m.

Prof. Stefan Höschele (ThHF)

“Flourishing - What do our images of the good life say about our morals?”

Concepts of a successful life can change - and yet they are similar: in changing metaphors, they express ideals that allow people to look beyond the ordinary. Such concepts of redemption can be found in abundance in religions, but also in personal goals, cultural core values and political formulas. Every ethics lives from a series of such ideas, each of which inspires us as an ensemble to describe our constant self-transformation, to shape the world and to work with others on corresponding projects. This lecture presents a discussion of the strengths and limitations of the idea of flourishing from the perspective of Christian ethics.

The lecture will be held in German language. A translation into English will be provided on site.
If you participate via Zoom, the lecture will be transmitted in German.

Participation via Zoom

Register here

Stefan Höschele | Vortrag zur Ringvorlesung 2024

Prof. Stefan Höschele

has been teaching at Friedensau Adventist University since 2003 - he is Professor of Systematic Theology and Adventist Studies and as such also conducts research in the field of ethics.

LECTURE 5
11 December 2024 | 7 p.m.

Prof. Dr. theol. Miroslav Volf (Yale University)

"Self-transendence – How does the spiritual dimension contribute to flourishing?"

Prof. Miroslav Volf sees human life as being guided at the lowest level by habits (autopilot mode), at the next level by efficiency (strategic mode), followed by a personal vision (self-aware mode) and finally, at the highest level, by the truth outside of oneself (self-transcendence mode). Considering these perspectives, personal well-being and a flourishing life require a level of existentiality to produce tangible good life experiences and allow for a recognition of the spiritual dimensions of the human experience.

The lecture will be held in English language. A translation into German will be provided on site.
If you participate via Zoom, the lecture will be transmitted in German.

Participation via Zoom

Register here

Miroslav Volf | Vortrag zur Ringvorlesung 2024

Miroslav Volf

(*1956) studied Protestant theology in Osijek (Croatia) and at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena (California). From 1979 to 1991, he taught at the Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek, first as a lecturer and later as Professor of Systematic Theology. In 1986, he completed his doctorate in theology under Jürgen Moltmann at the University of Tübingen. This was followed in 1994 by his habilitation under Jürgen Moltmann at the University of Tübingen. In 1997 he became Professor of Systematic Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary; in 1998 at Yale Divinity School in New Haven (Connecticut), a position he still holds today.

Registration for the lecture series

Here you can register for participation in the lecture series ONLINE via Zoom.
It is possible to register for and participate in several dates.
Please look out for messages in your e-mail inbox. You will receive your participation link for Zoom one day before the event.