In his opus magnum on liberation, controversially discussed in many traditional and new media in Germany, Christoph Menke argues that we live in a time of failed liberations.
All attempts at liberation, according to Menke, seen in the light of day, have sooner or later produced new forms of domination and thus of servitude. For Menke, the explanation of this situation requires a reversal of perspective. Instead of simply turning to the next liberation project, we need to analyze how the previous liberation attempts have gone. Its beginning is especially crucial - the ordinary but fascinating experience that a habit that binds us suddenly breaks: thus begins the practice of liberation.
From this basic thesis, Menke develops a groundbreaking theory of liberation, which includes a revision of the usual ideas of freedom – anchored in nature or society. It turns out that freedom and domination are inextricably intertwined, and liberation is not the prehistory of freedom, but its mode of implementation. This is illustrated by two surprising exemplary narratives on which this book draws heavily: the Exodus narrative from the 2nd book of Moses (Exodus) and the story of Walter White in the television series Breaking Bad.

Christoph Menke: A Theory of Liberation

Program

Doelenzaal, Universiteitsbibliotheek, Singel 425

To participate, please register at aanmeldingen-dia@uva.nl.

11.00 h       Welcome
Christoph Menke: Introduction

11.15 h       The Exodus from Servitude

Comments by Dorothea Gädeke (Utrecht) & Francesca Raimondi (Düsseldorf)
Response by Christoph Menke

13.00 h             Lunch

14.30 h             The Liberation of Seeing 
Comments by Katharina Bauer (Rotterdam) & Tom Vandeputte (Sandberg Institute Amsterdam)
Response by Christoph Menke

16.30 h      Coffee & Break

20.00 h      Christoph Menke: A Theory of Liberation
Public Talk, followed by a conversation with Titus Stahl (Groningen), moderated by Beate Roessler (Amsterdam) (Location: SPUI 25)