Salzburger Hochschulwochen 2016

Passions
Inquiring after passions touches upon ambivalences of human existence. Passion,
according to Kant’s level-headed verdict, no one can wish for – because who
“wants to have himself put in chains when he can be free?” And yet at the same
time one can ask: What could be worse than a dispassionate life? An existence
devoid of passions?
Passions are deeply ambiguous: They seem to be primordial and carry us away
unexpectedly, yet they are profoundly social entities – culturally shaped, economically
exploitable, politically utilisable. They subvert cost-benefit calculations and disenchant
the alleged sovereignty of the subject – and yet they are conducive to what subjects
so often strive for in their planning and reckoning: the experience of living intensely.
However, the one who surrenders blindfoldedly seems to be doomed – since passions
contain an element of destruction, are all-consuming, grow into obsessions.
Literature is rife with them and forever arranges the dialectics of vitalising and
destructive elements anew. Theologically the topos is irritating as well: God’s passion
for man lies at the centre of faith – however, its enormousness irritates unvaryingly,
its consequence is the Passion.
In their 85 th year of existence the Salzburger Hochschulwochen face the questions
that are related therewith. Join us in exploring passionately the political, artistic,
religious, literary and other significances of passions!
Ass.-Prof. Dr. Martin Dürnberger
Chairman Salzburger Hochschul wochen