Gemeinsame Welt denken

How can people of different cultures and religions face the challenge of peaceful coexistence? On what basis can a common world be thought? In this study André Munzinger interacts with the philosopher Jürgen Habermas and the theologian Eilert Herms as they answer these questions in opposing ways. For Habermas the basis for intercultural coexistence lies in communicative reason, which connects humans above and apart from religious differences. For Herms reason is bound to our perception of the world, which in turn is based on our most basic religious experiences. The difference between these conceptions is productive as the author argues, because reason and religion can be seen as rivaling but complementary means of comprehending diversity in unity. Peaceful coexistence is dependent on discursive processes of working through our most basic religious and cultural differences. These processes must in turn be embedded in globalized political and societal institutions.