A blog about learning
Reading time: 6 minutes
THINGS TO KNOW More than half of all German students have a job while studying. This brings more than just financial benefits. The double burden on young people, most of whom study full-time, is enormous – but not impossible to keep up.
Continue reading “Double Burden – Studying and working in Potsdam in 2022”Reading time: 6 minutes
LIFE STORIES The Magnus-Haus, capital representation of the DPG and seat of the regional association Physikalische Gesellschaft zu Berlin, is an important European site of the scientific history of physics. After the designation as EPS Historic Site, the ceremonial unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the presidents of the European Physical Society (EPS), Luc Bergé, and the German Physical Society (DPG), Lutz Schröter, followed on October 15, 2021, during a festive event. I was able to attend this event as a member of the Potsdam regional group of the jDPG. An unique day in the world of the DPG.
Continue reading “The World of the DPG 2021 – Physics, Journalism and Me”Reading time: 6 minutes
ETHICS EXPLAINED – PART 4
THINGS TO KNOW How do we find the path to happiness? Should we follow our desire? Or should we rather seek “stoic tranquillity”? The philosophers of antiquity answered these questions in many different ways. Their answers can be found in the so-called “virtue ethics”.
Continue reading “Philosophers in search of happiness – The 3 best-known virtue ethics at a glance”Reading time: 8 minutes
ETHICS EXPLAINED – PART 3
THINGS TO KNOW In the course of human history, numerous religions have developed in the most diverse forms. They all share a belief in something supernatural. But what is it exactly, this transcendent being, and can its existence be proven?
Continue reading “8 minutes Philosophy of Religion: Is there a God?”Reading time: 7 minutes
ETHICS EXPLAINED – PART 1
THINGS TO KNOW The second Kantian question has also led to discussions between utilitarians, discourse ethicists and followers of Kant: What should I do? We humans need moral principles in order to be able to react quickly and well in certain situations.
Continue reading “How am I supposed to act? – Moral principles simply explained”Reading time: 8 minutes
ETHICS EXPLAINED – PART 1
THINGS TO KNOW Look at the picture on the right. What do you see? Black and white stripes, distorted and lying crookedly on top of each other? Well, at least that’s what your brain makes you believe. In reality, the stripes are parallel to each other. No matter whether you already know this optical illusion or not, it poses an existential question: If our brain can deceive us like this, what is still true?
Continue reading “The search for absolute truth – 4 epistemologies in brief”Reading time: 8 minutes
THINGS TO KNOW When interpreting and analysing german texts, few things are as important as a basic knowledge of the literary epochs, because only with background knowledge of the period in which they were written can you understand most texts in depth.
Continue reading “From the 16th century until today: The literary epochs of Germany in brief”Reading time: 6 minutes
THINGS TO KNOW Today, sulphuric acid is considered one of the most important chemicals of all. Due to its properties, the substance is used in numerous branches of industry. It can be produced on a large scale from sulphur by the double contact process.
Continue reading “The double contact process – The production of sulphuric acid explained in 6 minutes”Reading time: 13 minutes
THINGS TO KNOW The Holocaust, a genocide of the Jews by the Nazis during the Second World War has shaped German history like hardly any other historical event. But most of us are not aware of the resulting responsibility of the German people.
Continue reading “Holocaust 80 years on – The Legacy of the National Socialists”Reading time: 4 minutes
THINGS TO KNOW Judeophobia in Wittenberg 2020: The dispute about the ‘Judensau‘ at the city church divides the inhabitants of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. To better understand the creation of the relief it is important to learn more about the history of anti-semitism. Only few people know how long the hostility against Jews has really been anchored in people.
Continue reading “Jews in Wittenberg 2020: History of judeophobia”