Relating to Others: A (Neo)Platonic Metaphysical Approach – Interview with PD Dr. Max Rohstock and Anna Maria Lambertz-Rohstock (Heidelberg University)

PD Dr. Max Rohstock and Anna Maria Lambertz-Rohstock (Department of Philosophy, Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)

• How can we cultivate an ideal relationship with ourselves and with others? • What can Neoplatonic philosophy teach us about truth, freedom, inner harmony, and human flourishing? • How can philosophical thinking help us navigate existential despair?

In this episode, we explore how philosophical traditions can illuminate our relationships with ourselves and others. PD Dr. Max Rohstock and Anna Maria Lambertz-Rohstock from the Department of Philosophy at Heidelberg University discuss the Neoplatonic tradition, its conception of the absolute, and the idea that philosophical insight can transform how we relate to ourselves and others.

The conversation examines the Platonic understanding of the self as composed of different forms of striving and the importance of bringing them into harmony through truth and wisdom. Our guests explain how absolutizing finite goals such as wealth, power, or recognition can contribute to dissatisfaction and existential despair. They further discuss the concept of absolutizing and the philosophical challenge of relating appropriately to both absolute and relative goals.

The episode also explores negative theology as a method for questioning the ideas and values we treat as absolute. In this context, philosophical thinking is presented as a form of practice that can cultivate self-knowledge, humility, freedom, and resistance to manipulation. The discussion considers how an ideal relationship with oneself may provide the foundation for relating to others with greater openness, empathy, and freedom. Finally, we discuss the initiative “Inspiration Philosophie”, which seeks to make philosophical thinking accessible beyond academia.

Join us as we explore whether philosophy can offer not only ways of understanding reality, but also practical guidance for becoming oneself and relating more meaningfully to others!

Inspiration Philosophie Philosophy classes: https://linktr.ee/_inspiration_philosophie_ Newsletter: https://substack.com/@inspirationphilosophy Research: https://maxrohstock.academia.edu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_inspiration_philosophie_

Timeline (00:00) Intro (02:34) Academic Backgrounds (07:26) Motivation and the Archimedean Point (13:40) Neoplatonism and the Absolute (22:05) The Ideal Relationship with Oneself (29:34) From Self-Relation to Relations with Others (32:42) Kierkegaard and Absolutizing (38:07) Negative Theology (42:49) The Historical-Systematic Method (45:33) Philosophy as a Way of Life (50:44) Inspiration Philosophie (55:40) Learning from Public Engagement (58:49) Future Projects and Plans (01:02:37) Outro

Keywords Neoplatonism, Plato, Plotinus, Metaphysics, Ethics, Philosophy, Absolute, Inner Harmony, Self-Realization, Existential Despair, Kierkegaard, Negative Theology, Freedom, Human Flourishing, Philosophical Life, Historical-Systematic Method, Public Philosophy, Inspiration Philosophie, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Scholarly Conversations, Interdisciplinary Discussions, Interviews with Scholars, University Discourse, Us and Them, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast, Heidelberg University