Abstract

In light of the upcoming anniversary of the Berlin University, this study of the philosopher Paul Hofmann analyzes his precarious position as lecturer at the Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, which was abruptly terminated in 1938 because of his Jewish ancestry and his anti-Nazi position. After years of inner migration, Hofmann resumed teaching as Ordinarius and with new impulses in 1945. At the core of his philosophy was the philosophy of humanity that developed from different positions in his major work “Sinn und Geschichte.” He provided his philosophy with new accents after 1945, while already suffering from severe illness. The study is based on extensive archival material.