The authors under consideration wrote at a time in which it was exceedingly perilous to openly formulate some of these lines of criticism, and thus often touched these matters obliquely. These questions are relevant today in an intellectual context. A return to the foundational texts of modern political thought can open a critical perspective on the perimeters of the contemporary problematic of European identity by clarifying its ambivalent relationship to the conflicting poles of religion and enlightenment. The format of the series is oriented towards bringing researchers and professors together in what is closer to a reflection or study group than a teaching seminar.
Active participation based upon a careful consideration of the texts is assumed.
The reading list itself, however, is limited as is indicated below.