Prof. Dr. Ansgar Beckermann
Prof. Dr. Ansgar Beckermann
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In 2012, I published two volumes of my own essays for the first time as electronic books on the platform of Bielefeld University Library. In 2021, a third volume was added (2nd ed.: 2022). In 2024, a fourth volume followed (2nd ed.: 2025).
Download Volume 1, Volume 2, and Volume 3 (2nd ed.), and Volume 4 (2nd ed.).
- Contributions to the Philosophy of Religion
On the occasion of the opening of the Innsbruck Center for Philosophy of Religion at the Institute of Christian Philosophy, University of Innsbruck, a debate between Holm Tetens and Ansgar Beckermann on the topic "What Is a Good Religion?" took place on January 31, 2018. This debate was slightly shortened and edited for publication in Issue 1/2019 of Information Philosophie. Unfortunately, an earlier version was printed rather than the version agreed upon by both authors. The correct version of the text can be found here and at: http://www.information-philosophie.de/?a=1&t=8747&n=2&y=5&c=27.
On October 29, 2015, the debate organized by CVMD with William Lane Craig on the topic Is There a God? took place at the Alte Kongresshalle in Munich. It will soon be available online on the CVMD website. Since hindsight is always clearer, I am posting a short addendum to this debate in which I try to clarify my position more precisely.
Short Texts
Essays and Lectures
- “The Logical Problem of Evil Is Not Solved.” Zeitschrift für Philosophische Forschung 64 (2010), 239–245 (PDF)
- Debate on Free Will
Short Texts
- "Willensfreiheit - nichts als eine Illusion?" In: Pressedienst Forschung 24/2005, Universität Bielefeld, Informations- und Pressestelle (PDF)
- Interview zum Thema "Der freie Wille ist keine Illusion" im Mindener Tageblatt vom 18.11.2004 (PDF)
Essays and Lectures
- Keine Angst vor den Neuronen. In: N. Saimeh (Hg.) Zukunftswerkstatt Maßregelvollzug. Bonn: Psychiatrie-Verlag 2008, 15-25 (PDF)
- Neurobiological findings and free will: a philosophical perspective. Vortrag gehalten auf der Session Free will vs determinism? des ESOF am 16. Juli 2006 in München (URL: http://bieson.ub.uni-bielefeld.de/volltexte/2010/1654/)
- Freier Wille – Alles Illusion? In: S. Barton (Hg.) „… weil er für die Allgemeinheit gefährlich ist!“ Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlag 2006, 293-307. (PDF)
- Neuronale Determiniertheit und Freiheit. In: Kristian Köchy & Dirk Stederoth (Hrsg.) Willensfreiheit als interdisziplinäres Problem. Freiburg i.Br.: Karl Alber 2006, 289-304. (PDF)
- Willensfreiheit in einer natürlichen Weltordnung. Vortrag gehalten auf GAP.5 am 23.09.2003. (URL: http://bieson.ub.uni-bielefeld.de/volltexte/2008/1340/)
- Biologie und Freiheit. In: H. Schmidinger und C. Sedmak (Hg.) Der Mensch – ein freies Wesen? Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft 2005, 111-124. (PDF)
- Schließt biologische Determiniertheit Freiheit aus? In: F. Hermanni und P. Koslowski (Hg.) Der freie und der unfreie Wille. München: Wilhelm Fink 2004, 19-32. (PDF)
- Would Biological Determinism Rule Out the Possibility of Freedom? In: A. Hüttemann (ed.) Determinism in Physics and Biology. Paderborn: Mentis 2003, 136-149. (PDF)
- Philosophy
- Was ist das - Philosophie? (PDF)
- Analytische Philosophie – Peter Bieris Frage nach der richtigen Art, Philosophie zu betreiben. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Philosophie 56 (2008), 599-613.
- Einleitung. In: P. Prechtl (Hg.) Grundbegriffe der analytischen Philosophie. Stuttgart/Weimar: J.B. Metzler 2004, 1-12. (PDF)
- Project: "Philosophie verständlich"
- I have handed over responsibility for the "Philosophie verständlich" project. However, the project’s website remains accessible.
- Varia
Research Interests
CV
- 1945 – Born in Hamburg
- 1951–1955 – Primary School, St. Elisabeth, Hamburg
- 1955–1964 – St. Ansgar Gymnasium, Hamburg; classical languages track
- 1964–1974 – Studies in Philosophy, Sociology, and Mathematics at the Universities of Hamburg and Frankfurt/Main
- 1974 – PhD, University of Frankfurt/Main
- 1975–1981 – Research Assistant, University of Osnabrück
- 1978 – Habilitation, University of Osnabrück
- 1981 – Heisenberg Fellow
- 1982–1992 – Professor of Philosophy, University of Göttingen
- 1985–1994 – Contributor to the preparation of the interdisciplinary DFG priority program Cognition and Brain; after its approval by the DFG in October 1987, served as one of three coordinators
- 1989/90 – Participant in the research group Mind and Brain, Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Bielefeld
- Since 1990 – Member of the advisory board of Kognitionswissenschaft
- 1992–1995 – Professor of Philosophy, University of Mannheim
- 1995–2010 – Professor of Philosophy, University of Bielefeld
- 1995/96 – Participant in the research group Perception and the Role of Evolutionarily Internalized Regularities of the Physical World, Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Bielefeld
- Since 1998 – Member of the advisory board of Facta
- 1999–2010 – Member of the advisory board of Zeitschrift für philosophische Forschung
- 1999–2004 – Member of the Senate, University of Bielefeld (Chair from February 2003 to September 2004)
- 2000–2003 – Member of the Scientific Advisory Board, Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg (Delmenhorst)
- 2000–2006 – President, Gesellschaft für Analytische Philosophie e.V.
- 2003–2009 – Dean, Faculty of History, Philosophy, and Theology
- 2008–2010 – Member of the Senate, University of Bielefeld
- 2009–2010 – Member of the subworking group Research Evaluation in the Humanities, German Council of Science and Humanities (WR)
- 01.08.2010 – Retired
- 2010–2021 – Ombudsperson for Good Scientific Practice, University of Bielefeld
- Since September 2018 – Honorary Member, Gesellschaft für Analytische Philosophie e.V.
Publications
A list of publications can be found here.