idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
In order to advance cross-disciplinary and societal dialogue on ethical issues, Heidelberg University has founded a Center for Ethics. The new Camilla and Georg Jellinek Center for Ethics has issued an invitation to attend a ceremonial opening event on 6 October 2025. It will consist of lectures and discussions on urgent ethical questions from the perspective of different disciplines, but also explain the naming and the future work of the center. Prof. Dr Thomas W. Simpson from the University of Oxford (UK) will give the keynote address on the topic of trust. The event, to be followed by an academic symposium, is taking place in the Great Hall of the Old University.
Press Release
Heidelberg, 26 September 2025
Ceremonial Opening of Camilla and Georg Jellinek Center for Ethics
Inaugural event on 6 October 2025 also open to an interested public
In order to advance cross-disciplinary and societal dialogue on ethical issues, Heidelberg University has founded a Center for Ethics. The new Camilla and Georg Jellinek Center for Ethics has issued an invitation to attend a ceremonial opening event on 6 October 2025. It will consist of lectures and discussions on urgent ethical questions from the perspective of different disciplines, but also explain the naming and the future work of the center. Prof. Dr Thomas W. Simpson from the University of Oxford (UK) will give the keynote address on the topic of trust. The event, to be followed by an academic symposium, is taking place in the Great Hall of the Old University, beginning at 11am.
The newly founded interdisciplinary Center for Ethics has the aim of promoting and coordinating exchange on ethical topics across disciplinary boundaries. It understands itself as a platform for researchers from different disciplines who wish to pursue research on topics grounded in, or oriented towards ethics. That is intended to galvanize engagement with ethical challenges as an integral part of academic practice and professionality. At the same time, the center will serve as a central contact point for ethical issues in research and teaching, and promote participatory dialogue between academia and society. Prof. Dr Dr Eva Winkler and Prof. Dr Thorsten Moos form the founding directorate of the Camilla and Georg Jellinek Center for Ethics. Oncologist Eva Winkler is Professor for Translational Medical Ethics at the Medical Faculty Heidelberg; Thorsten Moos teaches and conducts his research as Professor of Systematic Theology / Ethics at Heidelberg University’s Faculty of Theology.
The naming of the Center for Ethics recalls the couple Camilla und Georg Jellinek. From 1891 until his death, legal scholar Georg Jellinek (1851 to 1911) taught law as Professor for General Constitutional Law, International Law and Politics at Heidelberg University. In 1907 / 1908 he served as vice-rector of Ruperto Carola. His scholarly work dealt with, inter alia, human and civil rights, as well as topics from social ethics. Together with Max Weber and other professors, he was a founding member of the interdisciplinary “Eranos Circle”, which mainly discussed issues related to religious and cultural studies. Camilla Jellinek (1860 to 1940) engaged in advocacy for women’s rights, particularly on criminal and labor law issues. Heidelberg University awarded her an honorary doctorate in 1930. The Center for Ethics appeals not only to the theoretical and practical commitment to human rights but also to the interdisciplinary understanding of scholarship demonstrated by Georg and Camilla Jellinek.
Prof. Dr Frauke Melchior, Rector of Heidelberg University, will open the ceremonial event. Contributions will follow from different university research areas, which will introduce the future work and range of topics of the Center for Ethics. That includes Prof. Simpson’s keynote address (in English) on “The Highest Form That Civilisation Can Reach: Exploring Trust and its Foundations”. The symposium in the afternoon will also deal with the concept of trust under the heading “Why Trust Matters – and How it Fails. On Confidence in Individuals, Institutions, and Professions”. The inaugural event is open to all members and associates of Heidelberg University and also to the interested public.
Contact:
Heidelberg University
Communications and Marketing
Press Office, phone +49 6221 54-2311
presse@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/institutions/research-institutions/camilla-and-... – Opening event
https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/institutions/research-institutions/camilla-and-... – Center for Ethics
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