Philosophy Salon

Philosophy Salon

Since 2019, the Villa 102 is host to the Philosophy Salon, a thinking space and philosophical forum by the Culture Department of the Jewish Community in Frankfurt. The Philosophy Salon is intended as a space for philosophical thought and discussions. It tackles a range of universal and topical themes beyond the world of academic discourse and acts as a stimulus for intellectual life in Frankfurt. Leon Joskowitz welcomes guest speakers from various fields, including philosophy, literature and natural sciences, to talk about key topics of social importance, and to challenge and debate them. In this way, the Jewish history of Villa 102 - former home of the Sondheimer family - is taken into consideration. Find out more about the history of the monument here.

All information about upcoming guests and dates, as well as registration, can be found on the website of the Jewish Community Frankfurt.

29 June 2023

We live in the apocalypse. Let's make the best of it!
Leon Joskowitz in conversation with Ariadne von Schirach

Guest of the 16th Salon is Ariadne von Schirach, author and philosopher. In her books she deals with fundamental questions: What do we live for? How do we face our fears? Do we have a right to happiness? Leon Joskowitz talks with Ariadne von Schirach about the good life. People, nature and societies are in upheaval. There is a need for new stories, new narratives and appropriate world views for the 21st century. What can such narratives look like? What can we connect to, which ideas already belong on the garbage heap of history? Can our psyche still be saved? And how can a good life succeed in troubled times? “Glücksversuche" the recently published book by Ariadne von Schirach, will also find its way into the conversation. In 80 self-experiments, she shows ways to make one’s inner voice heard. Findings from evolutionary biology and psychology play a role, as do the Greek philosophers.

Ariadne von Schirach teaches philosophy and Chinese Thought at various universities and gives lectures at home and abroad. She also works as a freelance journalist and critic. She became known as the author of the non-fiction bestsellers Der Tanz um die Lust (2007) and Du sollst nicht funktionieren. For a New Art of Living (2014). The Psychotic Society. How We Overcome Fear and Powerlessness (2020) concludes this trilogy of modern life. In addition, she published the psychological reference book Me and You and Mueller's Cow. Kleine Charakterkunde für alle, die sich und andere besser verstehen wollen (2016). In the fall of 2021, she published her latest book, Glücksversuche. On the art of talking to one's soul.

Leon Joskowitz spent many years on culinary wanderings after studying philosophy. Today he works as a freelance writer and ethics teacher. He is the host of the Philosophy Salon of the Jewish Community Frankfurt am Main and part of the TEXTLAND Literature Festival. Just published by Westend Verlag is "Vom Kochen und Töten," his debut.

All information about upcoming guests and dates can be found on the website of the Jewish Community Frankfurt.

Past Events

21 February 2023

German Politics and Media Landscape in Transition
Deniz Yücel and Tanya Maljarchuk in conversation with Nikolai Klimeniouk 

24 February 2023 marks the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which led to the start of the devastating war of aggression. From the very beginning, the war has been accompanied by numerous debates in German society. It is about humanitarian aid, sanctions, arms deliveries, a fundamental stance and finding a way to deal with a precedent that was no longer thought possible in Europe. Western values have to be renegotiated; militancy and pacifism are put to the test. In the Salon of the Jewish Community, writer Tanya Maljarchuk, journalist and founder of PEN-Berlin Deniz Yücel in conversation with Nikolai Klimeniouk, expert on the politics of Russia and Ukraine, review the first year of war and consider the attitude of German politics and media in the changing events.

The event will be held in German. 

Image Credits

Photographs from the Philosophy Salon 2019, Photographer: Michael Faust