Stine Jensen appointed as endowed professor of public philosophy

Stine Jensen made a name for herself with her thesis Waarom vrouwen van apen houden (Why women love monkeys) on which she obtained her doctorate in Maastricht in 2002. Her dissertation involved an investigation into the relationship between apes and humans, not only in the cultural imagination but also in contemporary primatology, inspired by the work of the prominent American philosopher Donna Haraway. Recently she won, among other awards, the Zilveren Griffel for the children's philosophy book Lieve Stine, weet jij het? (Dear Stine, do you know?) And her TV program Dus ik ben (So I Am), broadcasted by HUMAN, attracted a lot of public interest. Moreover, she spent many years as an associate professor of literary studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Public philosophy as mission

Jensen's efforts will include contributions to public opinion and television programs, which will seek to use philosophical knowledge (concepts, traditions of thought, thinkers) to broaden standpoints or shift perspectives. She will explicitly engage in public debate, building bridges between different thought traditions, such as Eastern and Western philosophy. Characteristic of Western philosophy is a separation of body and mind, while in Eastern thought the connection with bodily practices receives a lot of attention.

Jensen: "Philosophy has an important job to do in the public domain because it activates both playful curiosity and our inquisitive thinking abilities. In these times of polarization, this is much needed. Thinking does not mean wanting your point of view confirmed, thinking is to dare to change your mind."

In parallel, Jensen will also contribute to education by integrating current societal issues, for example, those surrounding identity, into undergraduate and graduate education. In her research, she plans to bring attention to the role of different thought cultures in the intellectual debate. She wants to take a closer look at the question of how to interpret different traditions of thought, universalism, cultural relativism, and the heritage of the Enlightenment, not only within the national context but explicitly in the European context.

Public Philosophy at the Maas

Public philosophy is an important philosophical practice with a long history and a growing urgency. Dutch philosophers, in dialogue with experts and professionals from different disciplines and backgrounds, contribute significantly and visibly to public debate and policy.

Rotterdam-based philosophy has a strong reputation in this respect. Colleagues such as Marli Huijer (Thinker Laureate, 2015-2017) and Henk Oosterling (winner of, among other accolades, the Laurenspenning for his services to the city of Rotterdam), but also Jos de Mul, Awee Prins, and Ger Groot, authors of widely read books such as Cyberspace Odyssee, Artificial by Nature, De Geest uit de Fles and Uit Verveling, have made a voice for public philosophy in the sphere of public discourse, and for society in the academic domain. We are extremely thrilled that the appointment of Stine Jensen will extend this tradition.