24 June 2010 17h00
IMM studio A 2.24
Theo Roos on Philosophische Vitamine (philosophical vitamins)
Philosophy, for a long time in the ancient world, was a routine, a practice. This practical philosophy is predominantly concerned with ethos, less with the linking of theories. He who creates systems of thought, irrespective of how sophisticated, critical or rhetorically brilliant they are, is still not a philosopher. Only at the point at which knowledge forms ethos, which becomes a mindset, does philosophy begin.
Philosophical Vitamins mark the transitions from thinking to acting, from teaching to life, from body to embodiment. Vitamin-like thinkers such as Diogenes of Sinope, Diotime, Socrates, Epictetus, Epicurus, Teresa of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen, Montaigne, Nietzsche and Emile Cioran each give us a practise of philosophy in a different way. For Michel Foucault this practise is an aesthetic of existence.
Theo Roos is a film-maker, philosopher and musician. He lives in Cologne.
Music, philosophy and moving images are his passions. All three are put into effect in varying amounts in his work: in documentary films with scenic elements, in short film essays, in musically based performances, concerted readings, audio pieces for the radio and in his writing.
His study (philosophy, German studies, sport), his encounters with Indian culture, teacher training and eight years of scientific work at the philosophical institute of the Ruhr University form the basis of this.
Since 2004 he has been a professor at the ifs (International Film School) in Cologne and since 2008 at the adk (Academy of the Arts) in Ludwigsburg. In April 2005 the publishers Kiepenheuer & Witsch released his works: Philosophische Vitamine. Die Kunst des guten Lebens (Philosophical vitamins. The art of good life) and in September 2007 Neue Philosophische Vitamine. So lass uns leben (New philosophical vitamins. Let us live like this).