Prof. Dr. Thomas Meyer
The return of history: On the contemporary handling of the German past
January 26, 2024
The debates about colonialism and racism in the 19th century have led to reassessments of National Socialism. The "uniqueness" of the Shoah, which for a long time was a cornerstone of German state rationale, is now being challenged and placed within the context of a history of violence in the "long 20th century." Some refer to this as a "Historians' Dispute 2.0" currently taking place. The lecture traces the evolution of these debates and critically examines the relationship between history and politics.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Meyer
Thomas Meyer earned his doctorate in Philosophy from LMU Munich in 2003 and achieved his habilitation there six years later. In 2020, he was appointed as an adjunct professor. Meyer lives in Berlin as an independent author. At the end of September 2023, his biography of Hannah Arendt was published by Piper Verlag, Munich. He also edits a study edition of Arendt's works for the same publisher, of which seven volumes have been released so far. In addition, Meyer has published numerous books, essays, radio essays, and newspaper articles (SZ, ZEIT, F.A.Z.) on the intellectual history of the 20th century.
Recording of the lecture on January 26, 2024
Review of the evening lecture with Prof. Dr. Thomas Meyer
The lecture by Prof. Dr. Thomas Meyer deals with the return of history and the current challenges in Germany, especially in dealing with the German past. He analyzes the impact of events such as the invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023 on the political landscape and reflects on how these historical turning points shape the understanding of the present. Meer emphasizes the need to preserve the culture of remembrance that anchors history as an indispensable part of democracy and political responsibility in today's world.