ENLIGHTENMENT IN TIMES OF DARKNESS

YouTube premiere "From Kreisky's living room"

Philipp Blom in conversation with Cathrin Kahlweit

ENLIGHTENMENT IN TIMES OF DARKNESS

Philipp Blom's new book is a call for a new clarity of thought. Because we cannot fight tomorrow's problems with yesterday's thinking and philosophy. If the most important political and philosophical achievements of the Enlightenment - democracy, human rights, evidence-based thinking - are to survive, we must develop a way of life and an understanding of the world that is committed to human well-being and underpinned by planetary justice.
In the existential crises facing humanity, the ethos of the Enlightenment is more necessary than ever. In his combative essay, Philipp Blom shows that it is ideas tainted with theological detritus that were transported by the moderate mainstream of the Enlightenment and still characterise our thoughts and actions today. Now is the time for true, radical enlightenment!

Philipp Blom, born in Hamburg in 1970, studied philosophy, history and Jewish studies in Vienna and Oxford. He lives as a writer and historian in Vienna. His best-known books include The Reeling Continent, The Torn Years, The World Unhinged, What's at Stake and, most recently, The Submission. In addition to his historical and literary works, Philipp Blom is also active as a journalist, hosts the programme Punkt Eins on the Austrian culture channel Ö1, makes films such as the multi-award-winning documentary series Der taumelnde Kontinent and curates exhibitions in Europe and the USA.

Cathrin Kahlweit, Journalist and publicist

Philipp Blom:
Enlightenment in times of darkness
Brandstätter Verlag/Auf dem Punkt, September 2023, ISBN: 978-3-7106-0737-0; € 22,-