Der humanistische Buchclub #3: Philipp Blom: „Aufklärung in Zeiten der Verdunkelung“ (2023)

In the organizer's words:

The humanist book club #3: Philipp Blom: "Enlightenment in times of darkness" (2023)
The third edition of our book club will take place on March 15 at 6 pm. We invite all interested parties to join us in discussing Philipp Blom's essay "Aufklärung in Zeiten der Verdunkelung". An essay that calls for a fundamental review of our understanding of the Enlightenment. At the heart of the book is Blom's thesis that a significant part of what we understand today as "enlightened thinking" is still burdened with a theological legacy: ideas of guilt and redemption, of moral authority "from above", of an ultimate order of the world. According to Blom, these thought patterns were carried along by the moderate mainstream of the Enlightenment and continue to have an effect today - often unnoticed, but with real consequences for politics, ethics and the way people see themselves.
Especially in times of existential crises - ecological, social, political - Blom sees this as a central problem. The challenges of the present call for an enlightenment that consistently detaches itself from theological baggage and no longer sees people as objects of a higher plan, but as responsible, active beings in a vulnerable world. This "radical enlightenment" is committed to human well-being and at the same time supported by the idea of planetary justice. Philipp Blom is not only a historian and essayist, but also a member of the advisory board of the Giordano Bruno Foundation, which is committed to evolutionary humanism and a secular, enlightened society.

Special: On May 13 , Philipp Blom will talk about the book himself in conversation with Florian Chefai at the Humanist Salon. And anyone who wants to can also read Blom's book "Hoffnung" (Hope). In it, he asks how hope is possible without glossing over reality - and how it can still enable us to take action.

More information about the author (click)
Related link: Interview Blom with philosophie Magazin (click)

The humanist book club
Right on trend and at the same time tried and tested over centuries: The Düsseldorf Enlightenment Service has launched its own book club! Whether fiction or non-fiction, we talk and discuss books we've read, share favorite quotes and pick apart theses. We meet every two months on Sundays at 6 pm in the rooms of DA!, Ackerstr. 23 / Hinterhof. (Drinks: bring your own). At the beginning, all participants can suggest a book to be discussed at the next meeting. We decide together and also announce the upcoming book title in the newsletter so that new interested parties can join in at any time. We will then focus on the book of the day.

Meeting point: DA! - Ackerstr. 23 / Backyard | 40233 Düsseldorf