Time Orders of Life

The congress "Time Orders of Life" of the Integrated Curriculum for Anthroposophic Medicine (IBAM) by Prof Dr Friedrich Edelhäuser, Georg Soldner, Prof Dr Thomas Fuchs will take place from 30 April - 2 May 2026.

The natural temporality of life is primarily characterised by cyclical processes and rhythms, which are also expressed in subjective bodily experience. This applies, for example, to the heartbeat, breathing, the sleep-wake rhythm or the daily periodicity of hormone secretion. Drive and satisfaction, movement and rest, exertion and recovery also repeat themselves cyclically.

This cyclical structure of lived time contrasts with the order of linear (clock) time, which has become increasingly established in the natural sciences and the living environment of Western societies since modern times. This is characterised by increasing acceleration, the abolition of rhythms and the consumption of the natural resources on which life processes are based. The monetary-driven growth dynamics of the global market economy are a key driving force behind this acceleration. The fundamental tension between the two orders of time is now leading to global conflicts and ecological crises as well as to individual excessive demands, of which burn-out syndromes and depression are examples.

The cyclical and linear principles of time are contrasted with present time, the time of the present and of the present. It results from the cancellation of one-sided causal or final processes in which the past or future dominate experience. This occurs particularly in situations of encounter, leisure, arrival and lingering, but also of "flow", i.e. skilfully performed activity, in which the sense of time is lost in fluid execution. In such situations, the individual experiences a reciprocal resonance with others, with their environment, opening themselves up to the encounter so that something new or creative can emerge.

On the one hand, the tension and dialectic of the three principles of time is a central cause of various crises that we are confronted with in the present. On the other hand, if understood correctly, it opens up the possibility of a balance and a synthesis that allows for a more appropriate order of time for the individual, for communities and institutions as well as for society as a whole.

The aim of the congress is to examine the dialectics of the three principles of time in principle, in order to then focus on their concrete realisation, particularly in medicine, education, studies and biographical development. The focus will be on conflicts and crises as well as the potential and possibilities for change of the temporal orders.

Participants can also look forward to contributions from various guests. These include Prof Dr Emil Angehrn, Dr Marion Debus, Prof Dr Friedrich Edelhäuser, Prof Dr Eckhard Frick, Prof Dr Thomas Fuchs, Dr David Hornemann, M.Sc. Natalie Hurst, Prof Dr Stephan Lessenich, Prof Dr Giovanni Maio, PD Dr Rosa Michaelis, Prof Dr Hartmut Rosa, Georg Soldner and Prof Dr Christian Tewes.

Normalparticipation fee: 160 euros.

For employees of the UW/H: 80 euros Students: 40 euros.

Registration is requested.

Further information can be found in the programme.