“…just as alluring as instructive…”
Henrik Steffens’ Concept of Nature in Science, Humanities and Arts around 1800
The conference will disseminate new results from and among international scholars in the investigation of the Danish-Norwegian-German philosopher Henrik Steffens (1773-1845), a key figure in European Idealism and Romanticism. The research will provide a new understanding of his scientific and cultural role within the disciplines of philosophy, history, theology, literature and aesthetics. Henrik Steffens’ ethics and concept of nature have academic and social relevance for today’s thinking, not least in the context of climate crisis.
Thursday 7 October: Steffens in the Contexts of Philosophy and Idealism around 1800
| 16:00–16:30 | Arrival and coffee |
| 16:30–17:00 | Introduction, Sandberg & Rasmussen |
| 17:00-17.30 | Höfele: Zur Kontinuität zwischen Natur und Geist. Schelling und Steffens im Dialog |
| 17:45–19:15 |
First keynoteGjesdal: Nature and Politics: Staël, Günderrode, Brentano-von Arnim (online) |
| 19:30–20:30 | Reception |
Friday 8 October: European Perspectives on Steffens: Theology, Anthropology, Aesthetics, Politics, and Bildung
| 10:00–10:30 | Kondrup: Lightning-man or confused person? Henrich Steffens’ Significance for Danish Romantic Literature |
| 10:30–11:00 | Garne: Inner and Outer Nature. The Legacy of Steffens in Danish Golden Age Theology |
| 11:00–11:30 | Discussion |
| 11.30–12:00 | Coffee break |
| 12:00–12:30 | Jantzen: Farbentheorie. Steffens und Runge |
| 12:30–13:00 | Bielfeldt: Steffens und Spinoza. Etwas über Russische Epistemologie |
| 13:00–13:30 | Discussion |
| 13:30–15:30 | Lunch break in the staff restaurant |
| 15:30–16:00 | Hueck: Bildung als Selbstbestimmung. Henrik Steffens über Idee und Aufgabe der Universitäten |
| 16:00–16:30 |
Bergner: Der politische Steffens (online) |
| 16:30–17:00 | Discussion |
| 17:00–18:30 |
Second keynoteSteigerwald: Schelling and Science (online) |
| 19:30 | Conference dinner in town |
Saturday 9 October: Steffens’ Concept of Nature: Ecological Perspectives
| 10:00–10:30 | Hühn: Holismus der Natur. Zu einer Grundfigur bei Steffens und Schelling |
| 10:30–11:00 |
Tønnesen: Steffens’ ideas about organic meteorology. From the Totalorganismus to planetary health? |
| 11:00–11:30 | Discussion |
| 11:30–12:00 | Coffee break |
| 12:00–12:30 | Ziche: Steffens' Anthropology: 'Innere Naturgeschichte', geological anthropology, and the 'hidden mystery' in humankind |
| 12:30–13:00 | Discussion |
| 13:00–13:30 | Conclusion, Sandberg |
| 15:00 | Excursion to Bakkehuset |
Structure
2 x 30 minutes for two papers plus 30 minutes for discussion.
Prof. Dr. Kristin Gjesdal, Temple University, USA
Prof. Dr. Joan Steigerwald, University of York, Canada
Prof. Dr. Morton Tønnesen, University of Stavanger, Norway
Prof. Dr. Benedikt Jager, University of Stavanger, Norway
Prof. Dr. Johnny Kondrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Prof. Dr. Paul Ziche, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
Cand.theol. Kristoffer Garne
Dr. Philipp Höfele, University of Freiburg, Germany
Johanna Hueck, University of Freiburg, Germany
Dr. Marit Bergner, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
Prof. Dr. Bernd Henningsen, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
Prof. Dr. Marie-Therese Federhofer, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
Prof. Dr. Janke Klok, University of Groningen, Netherlands
Prof. Dr. Bielfeldt, University of Tübingen, Germany
Prof. Dr. Lore Hühn, University of Freiburg, Germany
Prof. Dr. Jörg Jantzen, University of Munich, Germany
Funding
The conference is funded by the Carlsberg Foundation and CEMES.
Collaborator
The conference is held in collaboration with Uni Freiburg.
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