Philosophy often carries the reputation of being abstract and detached from the world—but what if it is precisely the opposite? What if, instead of thick books and old men in wigs, it is about urgent questions that shape how we live and think today? This lecture invites you to discover philosophy as a tool—an instrument for seeing the world differently. Who decides what counts as knowledge? How do language and history shape our understanding of ourselves and others? Where do concepts such as nature, technology, or the Orient come from—and what happens when we think of them in new ways? Each session introduces a fresh perspective. We will engage with theorists whose ideas emerge not only from Europe but from diverse histories, experiences, and struggles across the globe. They reveal how thinking can transform being in the world—not just in the pages of theory books, but in personal being, life, art, design, and society. This lecture is for anyone unwilling to settle for simple answers. No prior knowledge is required—just curiosity and a readiness to think differently. Among others, we will engage with thinkers like Marisol de la Cadena, Karen Barad, and Edward Said. [b]Requirements[/b] Regular attendance + a written lecture reflection (5 pages) + a text summary (5 pages) [b]Participation Requirement[/b] Attendance at the first session is mandatory. Later entry into the course is not possible [i]The lecture will be held in German[/i]

The doorknob of a public toilet waits for a hand. Not just any hand, but one that moves in a particular way—gripping, turning, opening. But what happens when the hand is shaped differently, when the body does not fit, when the movement halts? Sara Ahmed’s phenomenological analyses reveal how doors, tables, and institutional structures presuppose certain bodies and behaviors, while others meet resistance. Who fits in seamlessly? Who is unsettled? Who remains excluded? In the seminar, we explore how violence is inscribed into seemingly ordinary things and practices—from architecture and language to the taken-for-granted ‘normality’ of everyday life. Engaging with philosopher Sara Ahmed’s key texts, including Queer Phenomenology, Living a Feminist Life, and What’s the Use?, we ask: How do affects ‘stick’ to power? To what extent are anger and shame collective practices that negotiate power relations? How are bodies shaped by repeated encounters with norms? And how can we not only expose these mechanisms of exclusion but also think spaces of ‘otherness’? Ahmed’s philosophy blends autoethnography, everyday observation, and political practice. Therefore, we will read not only her major works but also her blog posts (Feminist Killjoys), her now-famous resignation letter, and listen to podcast interviews. We will discuss how thinking evolves through collective storytelling and practical failure. [b]Requirements[/b] Attendance and active participation Engagement with reading materials and assignments A final written paper (10 pages) or a research project with an artistic or design component [b]Participation Requirement[/b] Attendance at the first session is mandatory; later entry into the seminar is not possible. The seminar will be held in English.

Public sphere, democracy, human rights, nation-state, market economy – according to Dipesh Chakrabarty, these are all ideas rooted in European modernity. In his influential book [i]Europe as Province: Perspectives on Postcolonial Historiography[/i] (2010), he argues that many so-called ‘universal’ concepts are deeply tied to the particular traditions of a small part of the world. To claim validity in a global context, they must be translated and rethought. In this seminar, we will read and discuss this key postcolonial text closely – page by page, chapter by chapter. Along the way, we will examine questions such as: Does the idea of ‘progress’ establish a singular, absolute standard, making all alternative paths of development seem deficient? Do even the most critical theories of capitalism fail to grasp the unruly temporalities of other worlds? How can we engage with ‘European’ or ‘postcolonial’ theoretical traditions without becoming bound by their limitations? For beginners, this guided reading provides a structured approach, offering reading aids, contextual explanations, and concrete strategies for navigating complex arguments and dense passages. For both beginners and advanced readers, the seminar offers a critical examination of Euro-American self-certainties and their global implications. [b]Requirements[/b] Attendance and active participation Careful reading of the book A written seminar reflection (5 pages) [b]Participation Requirement[/b] Attendance at the first session is mandatory; later entry into the seminar is not possible. [i]The seminar will be held in German[/i]