Enlightenment today: Discussion culture in danger!

Enlightenment today: Discussion culture in danger!

In the German Historical Museum in Berlin, the new exhibition entitled "Enlightenment is a never -ended process" opens up to the present day. In an interesting conversation with the curator Liliane Weissberg, she explains why the topics of the education, in particular the discussion about reason and freedom, are highly topical.

"There is an disagreement that becomes productive. You are under discussion," says Weissberg, while talks about the discussion culture of the Enlightenment. This historical movement dealt with basic questions, such as equality and emancipation, which many people are still important today. But not all of these demands have been implemented in the past, which leads to today's questions: Why were there any failures at the time, and how can we realize the relevant claims today?

The beginnings of the Enlightenment

The criticism during the Enlightenment was primarily directed against political and church institutions. This time was shaped by the consideration: How can an ethical system work without church dogms? The urge for reforms and the demand for changes shaped the company at the time.

An important element of the Enlightenment was the opportunity to spread knowledge. Reading competence increased, and women also had access to books. Massive printed products and a large number of newspapers flooded society, especially during the French Revolution. "In the first year of the revolution, 300 newspapers were founded in Paris," explains Weissberg. These developments created a space for debates, which has a certain parallel through the advent of social networks today.

An example of the thoughts of back then is a competition that Frederick the Great organized. The central question was: "Is it useful for the people to be cheated?" This dilemma is still relevant if today's challenges are considered by fake news and disinformation.

ambivalences and challenges of the Enlightenment

Weissberg also points out the problem that enlightened monarchs such as Frederick the Great and Joseph II in Vienna often deal with the principles of Enlightenment. Her tolerance often remained on paper, while discriminatory laws and edicts restricted the rights of minorities.

In addition to progress, however, the Enlightenment also brought dangers. Critics such as Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno argued that the Enlightenment contributed to the development of racism and other horrors of the 20th century. The process of collecting and arranging, which was typical of the Enlightenment, could become dangerous if it leads to creating hierarchies and dividing people into categories.

"If you arrange human skulls in systems, a basis for racial theories arises," explains Weissberg. This historical reflection is crucial to better understand today's challenges.

"If we no longer believe in the importance of freedom of speaking and equality, we go a questionable way," says Weissberg. She emphasizes that the education should be understood as a continuous process that requires constant attention and participation.

The exhibition in the German Historical Museum can be seen from October 18, 2024 to April 6, 2025 and encourages reflecting the teachings of the Enlightenment and leading current debates to these timeless topics. The full interview with curator Liliane Weissberg appeared in a program of RBBKultur, which indicates an exciting exploration of the Enlightenment.