Über Leben

What does »life« mean in the year 2022? How do we define »life« in the age of robotics, artificial intelligence and quantum computing? And what is an ethically correct behavior towards life? In our discussion, we would like to »talk about life« from theological/philosophical, scientific and artistic perspectives.

One possible answer lies in »biophilia«, the love of life, which is realized in respecting living things and valuing diversity of life. At the historical moment of our present, when crisis is becoming a permanent feature of the planet, the ZKM, with exhibitions such as BioMedia, The Beauty of Early Life or the presentation of Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignonneau, is organizing a program of biophilia dedicated to the diversity of life on our planet at the interface of art and science. The life sciences appear as the most necessary form of expanding the knowledge space.

The approach converges to a great extent with the Christian faith's and theology's image of life, as it results from the faith in creation and found its epochal expression in Albert Schweitzer's motto of »reverence for life« already from a century ago.

The panel organized online for the »Digital Open House Day« at the ZKM on January 6, 2022, takes up both strands and brings them into conversation with each other. With topics such as the question of the origin of life, the dangers and the protection of life and all living beings, the relation of life to the non-living, technology.