Philosophy to think about
Prof Dr Alfred Hirsch publishes new book on loss of home and longing.
What does home mean - and what happens when it is lost? Prof Dr Alfred Hirsch, associate professor at the University of Witten/Herdecke, explores these questions in his new book Heimatweh. A philosophical narrative. The publication is part of the series "Philosophie erzählt" (Volume 19) published by Karl Alber Verlag and is aimed not only at academics, but also at a wide audience.
At its centre is an observation that could hardly be more topical: The loss of home is a worldwide phenomenon - be it through flight, war, environmental destruction or social change. Hirsch describes how these experiences intensify the longing for belonging and anchoring - and how difficult it is to find a new home. Even people who have never left their places of origin experience a loss of home. Industrialisation, urban sprawl and the destruction of natural habitats leave their mark - not only on the landscape, but also on the soul.
With his narrative approach, Hirsch builds a bridge between philosophical reflection and lived reality. He combines personal experience, political intuition and scientific depth. The result is a thought-provoking text - about origins, identity and the possibility of finding a new home.
Prof Dr Alfred Hirsch teaches philosophy at Witten/Herdecke University. He studied in Münster, Hamburg, Paris and Bochum and was a scholarship recipient at the State University of New York and a guest lecturer at the Sorbonne in Paris.
A public book presentation is planned for autumn in Witten. The exact date will be announced in good time.
