Vorlesung im Kolleg: Lügen in der öffentlichen Kommunikation

In the organizer's words:

Lies in public communication. On the diminishing role of truth in discourse

Lies are being used more and more frequently and without hesitation in public communication, both nationally and internationally. Reporting on lies in the German press alone has increased ninefold compared to the 1990s. The truth as a binding norm seems to be on the defensive.

In many spectacular and also less spectacular cases, false statements have consequences for the liars, up to and including resignation from all offices. Often enough, however, these consequences do not materialize - which raises the question of whether we as addressed citizens have become tolerant of liars. Or is there already a habituation effect?

The basis of any discussion about lies is a clear definition of what is meant by a lie. Here we can refer to the old but still powerful definition of the late antique church father Aurelius Augustinus, who states three characteristics of a lie: Someone lies when he/she asserts something false, does so with full knowledge of its falsity and has an intention to deceive.

Against the backdrop of this definition, the book deals with both controversial and instructive cases of lies and discusses their impact on contemporary public language culture. The focus will be on a possible loss of credibility and the emergence of a general suspicion of lying towards those in positions of responsibility, both of which can lead to an erosion of public discourse.

The lectures will take place as face-to-face and livestream events. With this booking option, you can decide individually for each date whether you want to follow the lectures with like-minded people in presence in the Audimax or the event conveniently from anywhere in the world via livestream.

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Tickets available at the Box Office in the Audimax.