Prof Dr Ruth Edith Hagengruber, Professor of Philosophy at Paderborn University, is the first woman to be elected President of the German Philosophical Society (DGPhil). "Germany has a rich philosophical tradition that has had a profound influence on Western thought: Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Karl Marx. Our country is also the birthplace of great philosophical movements such as phenomenology and the Frankfurt School. We therefore bear a great responsibility," says Hagengruber. The research focus of the scientist is on the legacy of women philosophers, which she would now like to contribute more to the work of the society. "I am delighted to be able to hold this important office for a period of three years," says the scientist.
"The critical examination of philosophy's own heritage will be continued in the thinking of women philosophers. Researching women philosophers is a way of developing thinking further and gaining new perspectives on familiar topics," Hagengruber continues. Her goal now is to work with associations and scientific societies to secure the insights of philosophical thinking for the future as well as the present. The scientist explains: "Particularly in view of current social and political developments at home and abroad, such as hostility towards science or even the discontinuation of entire disciplines, it is important to communicate philosophical insights clearly."
The DGPhil is the second largest society in the world after the American one. Its working groups are dedicated to philosophical topics as well as contemporary problems and issues. Its activities range from organising classical conferences to writing specialist articles and commenting on scientific, political or social debates.
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