Was konnte, kann und könnte ‘philosophieren’ heißen und bedeuten?

Lecture by Tilman Borsche

Lecture, December 12, 2024
Universität Hildesheim, Hörsaal 2 and Live-Stream

Series: What is Philosophy? A Critical Polylogue with Philosophers from Africa

Summary

---

In his lecture “Was konnte, kann und könnte ‘philosophieren’ heißen und bedeuten?” [“What can and could ‘philosophizing’ mean and signify?”], Prof. Tilman Borsche reflects on the evolution of academic philosophy in Germany over the past 50 years, drawing from his personal experiences and broader philosophical currents. He presents philosophy not as a static object but as a dynamic activity, a continuous “telling of stories” that resists rigid definitions. Borsche challenges traditional frameworks that confine philosophy to specific historical or geographic boundaries, emphasizing its openness to change and revised notions. He critiques labels such as “Western” or “Eastern” philosophy, arguing that such distinctions oversimplify and overlook philosophy’s inherent diversity. Borsche outlines key transformations in the academic landscape of philosophy. The historical expansion of the discipline is one of these pivotal shifts. Initially dominated by figures like Kant and Hegel, philosophy’s scope was limited, with minimal attention given to the Middle Ages, Renaissance, or non-European traditions. Over time, projects like the Historisches Wörterbuch der Philosophie broadened the horizons of European philosophy, incorporating previously neglected periods and perspectives. Methodologically, the rise of analytical philosophy brought significant change, acting as a “cleansing storm” that cleared away outdated academic elitism. However, this shift also marginalized important traditions and raised concerns about philosophy becoming overly technical and detached from existential and human questions.

Another critical transformation is the reduction of philosophy to the status of a scientific discipline, a trend Borsche strongly critiques. He warns that this emphasis risks eroding philosophy’s essence as a reflective and integrative practice. Institutional pressures—such as publication requirements and funding criteria—have shifted priorities toward scientific methodologies, leaving less space for philosophy’s broader, exploratory nature. At the same time, Borsche celebrates the geographical and conceptual expansion of the discipline, as non-European philosophies, including Japanese, Chinese, and African traditions, are increasingly included in academic curricula. He highlights innovative approaches at institutions like Hildesheim University, where courses such as Chinese calligraphy are recognized as philosophical practice, demonstrating how philosophy can embrace diverse forms of thinking.

Borsche further explores the potential of alternative mediums—such as art, music, architecture, and oral traditions—as legitimate expressions of philosophical thought. He argues that philosophy must move beyond its reliance on written texts to engage with these varied modalities. This view ties into his broader vision of philosophy as deeply personal yet collective, a way of questioning “how we can and should live” together. For Borsche, philosophy must remain a practice of connection and commitment, uniting individuals in shared reflection and dialogue.

The lecture concludes with a critique of the pressures on academic freedom, particularly the constraints imposed by administrative and economic systems. Borsche calls for a renewed commitment to philosophical plurality and the creation of spaces—within and beyond academia—where philosophy can thrive as an open-ended inquiry. By interweaving personal anecdotes, historical analysis, and philosophical speculation, Borsche presents a compelling vision of what philosophy has been, what it is, and what it could become, urging philosophers to embrace both tradition and the uncharted territories of thought.

Short Bio