Heidelberg Philosophical Society

Let us kick off this autumn with the art and the act of ‘Letting go’. The rhythms of nature are not very far off from our own individual rhythms. Nature reminds us gently each autumn that it’s time to let go and turn inward. Not with a sense of despair about the coming winter but with a sense of intentional pause, rejuvenation and quiet reflection.
Join us for an evening of reflection, creativity, and release through poetry. This gathering blends reading, writing, and ritual to explore the theme of letting go.
### ✨ Event Flow

1. Poetry Reading – A reading of Madhu’s poetry on the theme of letting go
2. Questions & Reflection – Space for discussion and initial impressions
3. Quiet Contemplation & Writing – Time to turn inward and reflect. Either through writing, listening to music or even sitting quietly.
4. Sharing Circle – Participants may share their insights if they wish to
5. Ritual of Letting Go – A collective act of release to set the tone

This is a safe and welcoming space — no prior poetry experience is needed. Just bring openness, curiosity, and something to write with.
🗓️ Date & Time: 18.10.2025
📍 Location: Typical Coffee
Come connect, create, and release what no longer serves you.
This is a paid event. Participants can choose any contribution between 10-20€

Das Symposion – altertümlich: Gastmahl (moderner: Besäufnis) – gilt als einer der Meisterdialoge Platons. Zentrales Thema ist die Liebe, deren Definition den Teilnehmern des Symposions erkennbar schwer fällt. Auf dem Höhepunkt trägt Diotima, eine Priesterin, die zentrale Definition vor: Liebe ist ein brennendes und unaustilgbares Streben zu „X“. – Dieser Platzhalter kann für vieles stehen – für Menschen, aber auch für Objekte und Lebensziele, die uns in ihren Bann schlagen, sodass wir nicht mehr von ihnen ablassen wollen.
Platon stellt dieses Streben kritisch zur Diskussion: Wonach streben wir wirklich? Ist jedes Liebesobjekt gleichwertig, oder gibt es ein „besser“ und „schlechter“? Sind das psychologische oder ethische Kategorien – oder beides?
Der Dialog ist in erster Linie eine Diagnose menschlichen Verhaltens. Die Pointe: Wer versteht, wie und warum er*sie liebt, ist dem Geliebten nicht mehr blind ausgeliefert. Die höchste Erkenntnis besteht laut Platon darin zu erkennen, dass eigentlich nicht wir wählen, was wir lieben – sondern dass die Liebe immer schon selbst „gewählt“ hat: Liebe ist Streben nach dem Guten. Wenn wir uns ihr hingeben, kann sie uns über die Schönheit zur Idee des Guten führen – eine Erfahrung, die uns innerlich verwandelt.
Im Kurs begeben wir uns auf eine gemeinsame Erkenntnissuche: Was bedeutet Liebe nach Platon? Was lehrt uns der literarisch gestaltete Dialog über sein Denken?
Wir lesen gemeinsam – Vorkenntnisse sind nicht nötig. Alle sind herzlich willkommen!
📌 Termine: donnerstags, 18:45-20:45 Uhr, 2-wöchentlich
Kosten: 15–30 € / Termin (je nach den eigenen finanziellen Möglichkeiten)
Ort: Wird bei Anmeldung bekannt gegeben. Die Teilnahme ist auch online möglich (hybrid)
Anmeldung: per Email an inspiration-philosophie@online.de
Der Kurs wird geleitet von:
• Anna Lambertz-Rohstock, Doktorandin am Philosophischen Seminar der Uni Heidelberg
• PD Dr. Max Rostock, Privatdozent am Philosophischen Seminar.
Wir freuen uns auf den Austausch!
Anna & Max

This is the second of the three part series on Limit Situations. After the interactive first session on Limit situations, we will continue the series with a close text reading of the German philosopher Karl Jaspers on Limit Situations in this second session. The text will be sent to you upon registration.

"In everyday life, we are usually quite comfortably settled into our comfort zone: we take the same route to work, interact with the same people, shop at our trusted store, and cook what we know tastes good. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
But what happens when a situation suddenly catapults us out of our comfort zone? How do we react when something unexpected occurs? What feelings arise when our previous self-image or worldview is challenged?
Karl Jaspers coined the fitting term limit situation for this: when we reach the limits of our self-image and worldview, our previous “shell” collapses, according to Jaspers. The shell we had settled into no longer offers protection and we are in an experience of crisis.
Are there ways to cope with such situations better or worse? What can help us keep our heads? Can this inner upheaval, in some cases, even be turned into a growth experience? Which specific behavior will foster inner growth in moments of crisis?
These are the kinds of questions we want to explore together in this philosophy workshop.
👉 The motto: Philosophy for everyone – just give it a try!
💛 Everyone is warmly welcome – no prior knowledge required.
No lectures:
🤝 We will embark on a shared journey of discovery and experience philosophy as a living practice!
🙂 We’ll have conversations, exchange arguments, and organize our insights together."

About the Host:
Anna is a philosopher specialised in Neoplatonism and the existentialism of Kierkegaard. She has a special desire and experience in making philosophical thoughts and methods accessible to interested people outside the closed academic system.

You don't need any prior philosophical knowledge to attend this event and a prior reading of the text is also not necessary. This is also a stand alone event. You can attend even if you missed the first one.

She will conduct the workshop in an interactive way, making sure to make it engaging for everyone while also providing some inspiring input.
After the workshop we will be able to discuss further and socialise at our brunch at Cafe del Mundo.

This is a paid event.

We warmly invite you to our new regular philosophy course in English!
📚 What is it about?
This is a reading course: together we will read and discuss works of the history of philosophy. Our journey begins with Søren Kierkegaard’s The Sickness Unto Death and the question: How do we become an authentic self? (And what is the Self anyway?)
🕙 When?
Every two weeks on Sunday mornings, 10:00–12:00. Upcoming dates in 2025:
• September 14
• November 2
• November 16
• November 30
• December 7
📍 Where?
Hybrid format: you can join online or in Heidelberg’s Old Town (exact location and link will be shared upon registration).
💰 Cost:
Between 15–30 € per session – you decide the amount according to your own financial possibilities.
✉️ Registration:
Via Email to inspiration-philosophie@online.de
The format:
We philosophize together – freely and creatively.
💛 Everyone is welcome, no prior knowledge required.
🤝 The workshop is a shared learning journey.
🙂 We playfully explore new ideas and helpful methods from the vast treasure chest of philosophy’s history.
About the Host:
Anna Lambertz-Rohstock is a philosopher specialised in Neoplatonism and the existentialism of Kierkegaard. She has a special desire and experience in making philosophical thoughts and methods accessible to interested people outside the closed academic system.
I am very much looking forward to our exchange and discussions!
Best wishes,
Anna