Large dialogue conference dedicated to the thinker Hermann Cohen in Coswig!

Large dialogue conference dedicated to the thinker Hermann Cohen in Coswig!

In a few days things will be happening in the Coswig town hall! The dialogue conference “Hermann Cohen – a great son of the city of Coswig (Anhalt)” will take place on June 27th, and the anticipation is great. The event is organized by the Cohen Society Coswig and the Hermann Cohen Society from Zurich. A true feast for everyone interested in the history and philosophy of this important thinker.

Hermann Cohen, born in Coswig in 1842, is one of the outstanding Jewish-German philosophers of the 19th century. He was not only a co-founder of the Marburg School of Neo-Kantianism, but also left behind an extensive body of work that had a lasting impact on philosophy. His teachings are still highly relevant today and offer clear approaches to overcoming current challenges.

Cohen's legacy and his philosophy

Cohen was an astute critic of contemporary ideologies and advocated an ethical socialism that placed people at the center of society. However, during Nazism his philosophy was incompatible with the dominant ideology and was heavily suppressed. Even in the GDR there was little space for his thoughts. Nevertheless, his legacy remains alive and the Cohen Society has been dedicated to promoting his work and reviving its activities since 2000 after the Corona pandemic.

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. in the council chamber of the Coswig town hall. In addition to Coswig Mayor André Saage (SPD), District Administrator Christian Tylsch (CDU) is also expected. The event is public and free of charge. Those interested are warmly invited to register. Registrations will be made at [email protected] accepted.

A look at Cohen's career

Hermann Cohen's education began at the high school in Dessau and led him to a high philosophical reputation via the Jewish Theological Seminary in Breslau and the universities in Breslau, Berlin and Halle. Between 1876 and 1912 he was professor of philosophy at the University of Marburg. His students included prominent figures such as the Russian writer Boris Pasternak and the German politician Ernst Reuter. Cohen wrote numerous important works on the interpretation of Kant and on Jewish topics and is considered one of the most important Jewish philosophers of his time.

Cohen was also known as a critic of Zionism and saw Judaism not limited by national borders, but as part of a timeless, moral mission. His relationship to Jewish identity was complex and undogmatic. There is a Hermann Cohen Street in Tel Aviv, a sign of his lasting mark in the world of ideas.

Anyone who would like to find out more about this impressive philosopher and his work cannot ignore this conference. Hermann Cohen's teachings are not only a journey into the past, but also an invitation to confront contemporary challenges. We look forward to great interest and a stimulating exchange on June 27th!