Close-up: The Philosopha

Can researchers predict the future? And can a researcher rule a country? At UMU (ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Museum Utrecht), you can take a seat on the ‘Philosofa’ to engage in a conversation. On this bench there is room for encounters, in-depth discussions and reflection.

In a video clip accompanying the ‘Philosofa’, philosopher Iris van der Tuin explains what it means to practice philosophy. Iris examines the work of philosopher Susanne K. Langer.

For seventy years, Langer recorded all her thoughts on cards. These thoughts I try to unravel. At the ‘Philosofa’, you do the same thing: you take time to unravel your own thoughts and those of others. Together, these might lead to a new insight. I enjoy explaining to young people what it means to philosophise and hope that visitors take away that you can also use logical reasoning to do research.

Prof. Iris van der Tuin is professor in Theory of Cultural Inquiry at the Faculty of Humanities
Photo: Ivar Pel

Text: Babs van den Born

Close-up

This article is also published in the fourth edition of the magazine Close-up, full of inspiring columns, background stories and experiences of researchers and support staff.

Go to close-up #4