Philosophy begins in wonder, but it does not stop in wonder.
Dr. Katharina Bauer
Only if you are puzzled and perplexed you will start to ask philosophical questions, you will start to discuss with others about things that might have seemed to be self-evident at first sight, and you will start to think critically about given worldviews and opinions. I regard it as one of my main tasks as a teacher for philosophy to make my students wonder, to irritate their perceptions, convictions, and beliefs. Still, I also teach my students to develop sound arguments, give good reasons for their positions, based on the methods and concepts of philosophical thinking. I want to provide them with a sophisticated knowledge of the philosophical tradition and the state of the art of current philosophical discussions. They shall be enabled to relate academic discussions to the most urgent problems and important debates in contemporary society and to translate and transfer philosophical perspectives into public debates.
Teaching in the programme “Philosophy Now” is a pleasure and a most welcome challenge for me. It offers the opportunity to discuss pressing issues, ethical and societal problems of these crisis-ridden times with small groups of highly motivated students. Philosophically thinking about the now means thinking for the future – based on a profound understanding of underlying philosophical problems, concepts, and theories from the present and the past.