Escape and Exile of German-Language Philosophy

Roman Yos, Max Beck and Nicholas Coomann ( from left ) explore emigration in philosophy. Image: Jürgen Scheere (University of Jena) Shortly after the National Socialists seized power, a wave of repression began, to which political opponents as well as Jews or other "unpopular" persons were subjected. One consequence was the mass exodus of scientists, cultural workers, and political opponents of the regime. The destinations were neighbouring countries such as France, but also Turkey, the Soviet Union, the USA or countries in South America. What effects and consequences did this emigration have for the subject of philosophy? Who were the exiles, what were their fates? Max Beck and Nicholas Coomann, both doctoral students at the Chair of Theoretical Philosophy, want to investigate questions like these in cooperation with Dr Roman Yos from the University of Potsdam within the framework of the "Digital Database on Exile Philosophy" (DDEP), which they founded. Christoph Demmerling, holder of the Chair of Theoretical Philosophy, will be in charge of the editorial board. Several hundred people turned their backs on Germany and Austria.