#72 Jörg Baberowski: „Die Geschichte ist in meiner Perspektive eine Gegenwartswissenschaft.“

In this episode of the RHI podcast, Tina Maier-Schneider speaks with historian Jörg Baberowski about history, violence, freedom of thought, and why historical research for him always begins with contemporary issues. Right from the start, Baberowski rejects being too narrowly categorized as a "violence researcher": violence is just one of many topics that concern him. At his core, he sees himself as a historian with a philosophical perspective, one who asks how people interpret their world and what can be said about life itself from this. The conversation delves deeply into Baberowski's understanding of scholarship. History, he believes, is not merely a recitation of facts, but an attempt to examine past worlds from a contemporary perspective. His aim is not to instruct, but to provoke thought, challenge, and foster understanding: books should not placate readers, but rather stimulate reflection. He sees this as the true task of scholarship: not in political partisanship, but in the willingness to make other perspectives comprehensible without hastily condemning them morally. Finally, Baberowski also offers insights into his unique working method: as a "spontaneous writer" who doesn't work according to a schedule, but writes when thoughts flow. He finds inspiration less in textbooks than in literature, philosophy, music, and the absurdities of real life. This results in a rich, very personal conversation about science as a way of life, about the courage to dissent, and about the art of finding one's own voice in a noisy world. 👤 More from Jörg Baberowski https://www.geschichte.hu-berlin.de/d... Book recommendation: https://www.chbeck.de/baberowski-volk... +++ About +++ 🎧 The interview podcast from the Roman Herzog Institute with rotating guests. In personal conversations, leading figures in science talk with host Tina Maier-Schneider about their lives and work. Here you'll meet scientists who are making a difference. On our YouTube channel, you'll find the sister format RHI-Kontexte, in which Dr. Martin Lang engages in in-depth discussions with leading scientists from a wide range of disciplines about their research and ideas. 🔥 Subscribe to the Roman Herzog Institute's YouTube channel directly here: https://bit.ly/AboRomanHerzogInstitut Our institute overcomes the barriers between different scientific disciplines and develops interdisciplinary, long-term perspectives for society, the economy, and politics. By connecting experts from diverse fields, we foster fruitful discussions and innovative solutions to Germany's current challenges. Our goal is to provide impetus for Germany's future development and to promote dialogue with decision-makers, companies, and associations. We are more than just a place for studies and positions; We are a vibrant space for dialogue and discussion, whether through academic symposia or lively debates. 📚 Visit the Roman Herzog Institute website for further insights and information: https://www.romanherzoginstitut.de 🖥 Subscribe to our newsletter and experience the next event live or receive our upcoming publications: https://www.romanherzoginstitut.de/ne... +++ Social Media +++ ▶️Instagram ▶️LinkedIn ▶️YouTube 00:00 - Welcome to the Roman Herzog Institute Podcast 00:21 - Baberowski: Historian or Violence Researcher? 00:53 - What historians really do: Journeys into foreign worlds 01:16 - Understanding violence in historical context 02:47 - Philosophy, rule, and empires in the author's work 05:53 - History as a contemporary discipline 09:47 - Science vs. politics: Perspectives and contradictions 12:31 - Youth in a non-academic home 14:47 - Communist group during my youth 16:26 - Studying in Göttingen and influential mentors 21:07 - Freedom then vs. regulation now at university 24:31 - Tips for students: Passion instead of conformity 29:40 - Conflict with a left-wing splinter group at Humboldt University in Berlin 33:30 - Siemens Foundation scholarship, Munich 36:52 - Writing process and creative inspiration 39:42 - Experiences in Russia and literary influences 43:38 - Personal: Guitar, music, and family history 45:57 - Conclusion and thanks +++ Hashtags +++ #RomanHerzogInstitute #Society #Science #ThinkTank #Germany #RHI #RHIContexts #LifePaths #InterviewPodcast #History #ContemporaryHistory #Historians #Philosophy #JörgBaberowski #Historian #ViolenceResearch #RussianHistory #SovietUnion #HistoryPodcast #Science #Philosophy #Empires #Communism #Studies #AcademicFreedom #Podcast