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Peter Sloterdijk

ペーター・スローテルダイク

Peter Sloterdijk

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-06-26 （Karlsruhe, Württemberg-Baden, Germany）
Nationality
German
Languages
German

Career

Occupations
philosopher, cultural theorist, author, university professor, media theorist
Active Years
1974-
Affiliations
University of Art and Design Karlsruhe (part of ZKM)
Influenced By
Martin Heidegger, Friedrich Nietzsche, Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)
Influenced
Marc Jongen (former assistant; politician), Contemporary German-speaking public intellectuals

Education

University of Munich
Philosophy, German studies and History (studies)
Period: 1968–1974
Country: Germany
Studied at University of Munich 1968–1974
University of Hamburg
Philosophy, German studies and History (studies)
Degree: PhD
Period: 1974–1975
Year of Graduation: 1975
Country: Germany
Received PhD from University of Hamburg in 1975

Awards

Ernst Robert Curtius Prize (for Essay Writing)
1993
Result: 受賞
Sigmund Freud Prize (for Scientific Prose)
2005
Result: 受賞
Austrian Decoration for Science and Art
2005
Result: 受賞
Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
2006
Result: 受賞
Ludwig Börne Prize
2013
Result: 受賞
European Prize for Political Culture (Hans Ringier Foundation)
2021
Organization: Hans Ringier Foundation
Result: 受賞
Honorary doctorate (University of Nijmegen)
2011
Organization: University of Nijmegen
Result: 授与
Honorary doctorate (West University of Timișoara)
2023
Organization: West University of Timișoara
Result: 授与

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Critique of Cynical Reason

1983 philosophy / essay

Analyzes the 'cynical' attitude in contemporary society and presents a critical account of cynicism as a political and cultural phenomenon. Became one of the best-selling philosophy books in German after WWII.

cynicismcritique of modernitypublic sphere
Translations
  • English translation: Critique of Cynical Reason (1987/1988)

Spheres (trilogy)

1998 philosophy / social theory

A trilogy beginning with Bubbles that examines 'spaces of coexistence' (spheres) from micro- to macroscale, exploring private space, the state, and global spheres and their interrelations.

spherologycoexistenceontology of space
Translations
  • English translations: Bubbles / Globes / Foams (volumes translated separately)

Rage and Time

2006 philosophy / political psychology

Interprets the emotion of rage historically and psychoanalytically, linking it to political and religious structures and examining its role in history and politics.

ragepolitical psychologypsychoanalysis
Translations
  • English translation: Rage and Time (2010)

In the World Interior of Capital

2005 philosophy / globalization theory

Places globalization in philosophical-historical perspective and discusses relations between capital and space from the perspective of the Spheres project.

globalizationcapitalspatial theory
Translations
  • English translation: In the World Interior of Capital (2013)

Nietzsche Apostle

2000 philosophical essay

A short book of lectures and essays on Nietzsche, addressing his self-affirming and narcissistic rhetoric and examining its cultural significance.

Nietzsche studiesnarcissismrhetorical critique
Translations
  • English translation: Nietzsche Apostle (2013)

Bibliography

  • Kritik der zynischen Vernunft (Critique of Cynical Reason) (1983)
  • Spheres I–III (1998–2004)
  • Rage and Time (2006)
  • In the World Interior of Capital (2005)

Adaptations

  • Film/TV appearance: Marx Reloaded (2011)
  • Co-hosted TV show: Das Philosophische Quartett (2002–2012)

Translations of Works

  • Critique of Cynical Reason (English translation)
  • Spheres volumes translated as Bubbles / Globes / Foams
  • Rage and Time (English translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
rhetorical and often hyperboliccombines academic rigor with anti-academicismuses aphoristic and fragmentary essayistic forms
Recurring Motifs
spheres (spaces of coexistence)narcissism and languageglobalization and spacerage and repositories of resentment

Legacy

Sloterdijk is one of the leading public intellectuals of postwar Germany; with works such as the Spheres trilogy and Critique of Cynical Reason he has been influential. Though often provocative and controversial, he introduced important concepts (e.g., spherology) into contemporary thought and cultural criticism.

Archives

  • ZKM (Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe) related materials

In Popular Culture

  • Co-host of TV show 'Das Philosophische Quartett' (2002–2012)
  • Appeared in documentary 'Marx Reloaded' (2011)

Quotes

  • "We are living in a fiscal grabbing semi-socialism -- and nobody calls for a fiscal civil war."
    Source: Article 'Die Revolution der gebenden Hand' in Frankfurter Allgemeine (2009) (2009)

Trivia

  • Father Dutch and mother German.
  • Had a period of influence from Osho (Rajneesh) in the late 1970s.
  • Critique of Cynical Reason became one of the best-selling philosophy books in German after WWII.
  • Provoked controversy with 1999 essay 'Regeln für den Menschenpark' about reprogenetics.
  • Co-hosted the TV show 'Das Philosophische Quartett' from 2002 to 2012.