Article “Ideology and Suffering: What Is Realistic about Critical Theory?” by Amadeus Ulrich published in EJPT
The article “Ideology and Suffering: What Is Realistic about Critical Theory?” by Amadeus Ulrich has just been published open access in the European Journal of Political Theory (EJPT). Ulrich brings the perspective of radical realism into a productive dialog with Adorno’s critical theory.
more information ›Prof. Dr. Franziska Fay awarded the Sibylle Kalkhof-Rose University Prize 2025
Prof. Dr. Franziska Fay (Junior Professor of Ethnology with a focus on Political Anthropology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and former postdoctoral researcher at the Research Center Normative Orders at Goethe University) receives the Sibylle Kalkhof-Rose University Award 2025 in the category Humanities and Social Sciences.
more information ›Ideology and Suffering: What Is Realistic about Critical Theory?
Ulrich, Amadeus (2025): Ideology and suffering: What is realistic about critical theory? European Journal of Political Theory, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14748851251351782
more information ›New series “Vertrauensfragen” in the Frankfurter Rundschau initiated by Hendrik Simon
Democracy thrives on debate – if it serves the joint search for solutions. There is often a problem with this cooperation. The new FR series “Vertrauensfragen”, initiated by Hendrik Simon (Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC) Frankfurt location at Goethe University’s Research Centre Normative Orders ), examines why this is the case and how we can do better.
more information ›Untrustworthy Authorities and Complicit Bankers: Unraveling Monetary Distrust in Argentina
Moreno, Guadalupe (2025): “Untrustworthy Authorities and Complicit Bankers: Unraveling Monetary Distrust in Argentina”. Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies Discussion Paper 25/3.
more information ›Klimaethik – Ein Reader
Presentation of the book with Lukas Sparenborg (Research Associate at the Institute of Political Science at Goethe University) and Prof. Dr. Darrel Moellendorf (Professor of International Political Theory and Philosophy at Goethe University, Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg, Member of the Research Centre Normative Orders)
more information ›Utopie und Aufbruch der 1968er – Was von politischer Rebellion und individueller Selbstbefreiung geblieben ist
The panel discussion with Rainer Langhans, Christa Ritter, who has been a member of Langhans’ self-awareness group since 1978, and the social philosopher Martin Saar is dedicated to utopian ideas that emanated from the 1968 movement and sheds light on its ideals, impulses, individual and socio-political after-effects.
more information ›Territorial Justice by Lea Ypi
Workshop on the new book by Lea Ypi (LSE). With, among others: Andrea Sangiovanni and Ayelet Shachar.
more information ›Klimaethik. Ein Reader
Sparenborg, Lukas; Moellendorf, Darrel (Hrsg.) (2025) : Klimaethik. Ein Reader. Suhrkamp.
more information ›
Theodor W. Adorno Prize awarded to Prof Dr Seyla Benhabib
On Wednesday, 11 September 2024, the renowned political philosopher Prof. Dr Seyla Benhabib was awarded the Theodor W. Adorno Prize 2024 in the Paulskirche for her outstanding services to critical theory, political philosophy and democracy research.
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Commemorative publication published on Rainer Forst’s 60th birthday
Prof. Dr Rainer Forst, Philosopher and Director of the Research Centre Normative Orders, celebrated his 60th birthday on 15 August 2024. To mark the occasion, Suhrkamp-Verlag published the commemorative publication “Die Macht der Rechtfertigung – Perspektiven einer kritischen Theorie der Gerechtigkeit”, in which internationally renowned thinkers analyse his extensive work.
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The public use of reason. Jürgen Habermas turns 95 years old.
By Rainer Forst
On 18 June, Jürgen Habermas, who has left a lasting mark on the humanities and social sciences at Goethe University, was honoured with a special birthday. Our academic community sent its warmest congratulations. To this day, Habermas’ academic and intellectual voice is one of the most widely heard nationally and internationally, and we sincerely hope that it will remain so for a long time to come.
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Press
Sonntagsreden werden den gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt nicht retten
Interview with Hendrik Simon (Frankfurter Rundschau)
zum Beitrag ›“Israel hat die USA in den Konflikt hineingetrieben”
Mit dem Eingreifen der USA im Iran sieht die Konfliktforscherin Nicole Deitelhoff die Weltordnung und das Völkerrecht auf der Kippe. Israels Angriffe verstießen gegen das Gewaltverbot. Es sei ein Angriffskrieg, sagt sie bei tagesschau24
zum Beitrag ›Der demokratische Streit kann Welten umstürzen, aber er nimmt die Gesellschaft mit
A guest article by Nicole Deitelhoff, Christopher Daase and Hendrik Simon (Frankfurter Rundschau)
zum Beitrag ›Friedensgutachten 2025: Keine gemeinsame Wertebasis mit Trump
In this year’s report, the leading German peace institutes advise Europe to become more independent from the USA in terms of security policy. Article with Christopher Daase (taz)
zum Beitrag ›About Normative Orders
How do political, legal, religious or economic orders establish and change, how do power structures crystallize, how are power and life chances distributed – also on a transnational level? The researchers involved in the Research Centre Normative Orders reflect on these questions. The focus is on current social conflicts, in particular the just ordering of society in times of globalization, and their long history. The normative ideas that play a role in such processes and conflicts are examined. The questions are complex. This is why the Research Centre Normative Orders at Goethe University Frankfurt works on an interdisciplinary basis: from philosophy, history, political science and law to ethnology, economics, sociology and theology.
Research
The Research Centre Normative Orders is home to various research projects. Up-to-date information on all current and past projects can be found under Research.
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Publications
The Research Centre maintains a publication database with current publications by participating researchers. In addition, the Centre publishes a series of its own publications with Campus-Verlag. The volumes document the interdisciplinary collaboration at the Centre and are each dedicated to the examination of important topics from the Normative Orders research program.
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Events
The Research Centre Normative Orders organizes events, workshops, conferences and practical forums at Goethe University, in the city of Frankfurt and beyond. In the event calendar you will find all current and past events in the context of the work of the Research Center as well as information on how to participate.
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Media library
The Research Centre publishes video recordings of many lectures, discussions and other events, such as the well-known Römerberg Talks. You can find and watch these and other videos in a media library.
Media library