Omri Boehm »Humanität als Praxis«

June 2, 2026 / 7.30 pm / Room 3

The German-Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm, born in 1979, is one of the world's most sought-after contemporary thinkers. He teaches at the New School for Social Research in New York. In his book "Radical Universalism: Beyond Identity. Universalism as a Saving Alternative', he insists that human rights are the expression of a universal truth and a universal moral law. The individual is at the center of his thinking, not a particular identity narrative or an emphasis on cultural differences as relativization. Boehm derives radical universalism from the writings of Immanuel Kant and the biblical narratives; he does not want it to be understood as something that only represents particular (Western) views and interests in the sense of traditionally understood liberal democracy, but calls for a return to the "absolute love of humanity".

Based on this, he also takes a stand on political issues such as the Middle East conflict. In his work "Israel - A Utopia" (2020), for example, he argues against the two-state solution and in favor of a binational federal state that could bring about fair conditions for all inhabitants, including the Palestinians, and does not want to turn a blind eye to the "crimes against humanity in Gaza".

Admission: 10,- / 7,- EUR ǀ Event organized by Literaturhaus Leipzig e.V.

Disabled persons and their accompanying person (only if entered in the disabled pass), unemployed persons, pupils and students (up to 35) as well as holders of the Leipzig Pass or an honorary pass are entitled to a discount).