Thomas-Institut

The Thomas Institute is primarily a research institute with the main focus in the philosophical Medieval Studies. It is connected with the Department of Philosophy, University of Cologne, the Chair of Medieval philosophy is in personal union director of the Institute. For some time the Thomas Institute is also a reference library and offers students and interested parties the opportunity to work on their studies.

History

This construction goes back to Josef Koch, who came to Cologne in 1948 and 1950 reached the establishment of the Institute. This provides the basis for a highly specialized library for medieval intellectual history was created. Successor in the leadership of the institute were Paul Wilpert (1954-1967), Albert Zimmermann ( -1993 ), Jan A. Aertsen ( -2003 ) and Andreas Speer ( since 2004).

Research

Here, the main task in the development of source-critical writings on medieval philosophy. To this end, critical editions are created and edited historical, but also systematic works of medieval authors. In addition to Aristotle's writings including the Averroes latinus, research on Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Nicholas of Cusa, Meister Eckhart, Durandus of St. Pourçain and Theophilus Presbyter.

While clearly the focus of the Institute's research is on medieval philosophy, but also of modern philosophy is also done research in the field of ancient and partly. To this end, an annual report, which informs the Thomas Institute through its members, publications and research activities appears. The first annual report was published for the period 1994-1995. Since then, the annual report is published regularly.

Events

The Thomas Institute organized a series of lectures but also participates in other events that take place around the university. The biggest and oldest event of the Institute is Mediävistentagung. A more recent but equally prestigious event is controversial philosophy, whose topic varies from semester to semester. In addition to these two events, the Thomas Institute is at the Albertus -Magnus Professor, Master Eckhart price, the Cologne-Bonn colloquium and the Schedula involved diversarum artium.

• Mediävistentagung

The Cologne Mediävistentagungen are international scientific meetings, which take place under a different theme every two years. This promotes the Institute since its inception interdisciplinary collaboration mediävistischer disciplines. After the meeting held on 8 September 2008 on the subject of the Templars in 1308, the Thomas -Institut invited to the 37th Cologne Mediävistentagung to put together, including with Georgi Kapriev, Dimitri Gutas or Daniel Ziemann, the theme of " node Byzantium " to discuss. In September 2012, the 38th Cologne Mediävistentagung followed on " The Law ".

• Philosophy controversial

Philosophy controversial is the title of the lecture forum the Department of Philosophy of the University of Cologne. This attempts to discuss controversial topics namely in disputativer form, ie, in addition to the keynote speakers, there is always a commentator or opponents.

• Albertus Magnus Chair

The Albertus -Magnus- Professorship is named after the medieval polymath Albertus Magnus, who taught from 1248 to 1254 in Cologne on general studies of the Dominicans. The University of Cologne built in close collaboration with the Thomas -Institut this professorship, in which a person is appointed with an international reputation, which deals with questions of general importance for several days in public lectures and seminars.