Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi
Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi
About the speaker
Professor Armin Nassehi has taught general sociology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich since 1998. He covers the broad spectrum of sociology from empirical social research to social theory and the sociology of knowledge. His own methodological approach is influenced by Niklas Luhmann. Since 2012, he has been one of the editors of "Kursbuch", one of the most influential cultural journals in Germany since 1968. Nassehi takes a stand on many issues of social and political development, not only in Germany. His analyses are precise and relevant and therefore in demand. His academic oeuvre is extensive. Most recently published "Muster. Theorie der digitalen Gesellschaft" (2019) and "Das große Nein. Eigendynamik und Tragik des gesellschaftlichen Protests" (2020).
Three scenes about the artificiality of nature
Lecture on November 21, 2025
Artificiality is attributed to culture, which is considered malleable and historically changeable, and contrasted with nature, which is understood as immutable and necessary. But this distinction between nature and culture can no longer hold up when one considers technological, biomedical, digital, and epistemological revolutions. The lecture will illustrate this with three scenes from very different fields, adding confusion about the categories themselves to the general confusion about terms.
Recording of the lecture on December 21, 2025
Review of the evening lecture with Prof. Armin Nassehi
On November 21, 2025, Korbinians Kolleg addressed one of the most topical and fundamental issues of our time: the dissolution of the traditional boundary between nature and culture. In his lecture “Three Scenes on the Artificiality of the Natural,” Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi showed how technical, biomedical, and digital developments are shaking up our familiar categories.In three impressive scenes—each from a different field—Nassehi made it clear that not only our concepts, but also the underlying systems of order are shifting. Where nature was once considered immutable and culture malleable, hybrid forms are now replacing the old certainties. The supposed dividing line is blurring—and with it our understanding of what “natural” actually means.
Multiple crises
Lecture on December 2, 2022
The present time is not only characterized by various crises. Rather, these crises merge into one another and merge into a general crisis situation - from financial and migration to democracy, pandemic, energy and war crises. All of these crises have far-reaching social consequences and, last but not least, affect the structure of social inequality, which increases insecurity and unease. The question must be asked seriously whether the previous approaches to solving crises can continue to hold up, or whether newer ways of thinking are needed to overcome them. The lecture will explore that a more precise understanding of the structure of modern societies can point the way to better crisis management. At the same time, a thoroughly optimistic perspective is dared, because the necessary concepts are definitely available.
Professor Armin Nassehi has been teaching general sociology at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich since 1998. He covers the broad spectrum of sociology from empirical social research to social theory and the sociology of knowledge. His own methodical approach is influenced by Niklas Luhmann. Since 2012 he has been one of the editors of Kursbuch, one of the most influential cultural journals in Germany since 1968. Nassehi takes a stand on many issues of social and political development, and not just in Germany. His analyzes are precise and relevant and therefore in demand. His scientific oeuvre is extensive. Most recently published "Pattern. Theory of the digital society" (2019) and "The Big No. Dynamics and tragedy of social protest" (2020) and "Discomfort. Theory of the overwhelmed society" (2021).
Recording of the lecture on December 2, 2022
Review of the evening lecture with Prof. Armin Nassehi
This captivating lecture deals with the most pressing crises of our time - from climate change to the Ukraine conflict - and the question of why we often seem helpless despite an abundance of knowledge. The sociologist sheds light on how contradictory perspectives and profound conflicts of objectives block the implementation of effective solutions and shows how the lack of clear strategies for action in times of crisis paralyzes society. A provocative look at the lost trust in elites and the disjointed forces that prevent us from finding a common solution.