Best places for studying German Idealism in Germany?

[tomjonesy517]

I am looking for continental-focused programs (phenomenology, German idealism, history of philosophy) in Germany. It was suggested that I look at Freiburg, Frankfurt and Wuppertal. Are these good unis for someone interested in Hegel and Kant? Where else would you suggest looking?

[ἀκρατής]

I don't know about the other places, but I know that Leipzig is great for German Idealism!

[outlaw]

It depends mostly (as far as I know) on specific individuals within the academia, and where they are concentrated at the moment. Given Gadamer's legacy, Heidelberg might be a good place. I have heard that there are individuals within Freiburg as well that are quite renowned within the phenomenological circles, given the Husserl Archives there. But you have to keep in mind as well that both Freiburg and Heidelberg require not only English expertise but also Deutschkenntnisse, along with the working and sound knowledge of either Greek or Latin. 

 

It is usual within Germany's philosophy department to locate at least one professor of philosophy specialising in either Kant, Hegel, or Schelling (Deutsche Idealismus). Perhaps, the Berlin universities (especially Humboldt) might also be another place to look at. Moreover, it also depends upon the specific research interests you have (for instance Heidegger's influence on Foucault, or perhaps Deleuze's reaction to phenomenology) and then to locate the appropriate professors within specific universities. 

Edited May 22, 2013 by outlaw

[isostheneia]

I know Michael Forster just moved from University of Chicago to Bonn, so that might be a place to investigate. He does great work with Kant, Herder, and Hegel in particular.

[outlaw]

I know Michael Forster just moved from University of Chicago to Bonn, so that might be a place to investigate. He does great work with Kant, Herder, and Hegel in particular.

I think it might defeat your purpose of going to Germany and studying German Idealism, if you simply aim to follow an American professor. For that matter,  the continental philosophy concentrations within the philosophy departments in the US (New School, Chicago) might remain a better option.

 

Apart from that, there is a Hegel Archiv in Ruhr Universitaet Bochum as well; you may want to give that a look as well.