“Das philosophische Radio” live: Class – Hanno Sauer on social hierarchies and how to combat them
With German Sign Language interpretation
Class, status, prestige – social hierarchies are a feature of every society, and yet they are not a law of nature. In Klasse. Die Entstehung von Oben und Unten [“Class: The Emergence of the Top and the Bottom”], Hanno Sauer demonstrates how social inequality arises: through conscious or subconscious signals that determine a person’s place in social hierarchies. Sauer sees class as socially constructed scarcity. Those at the top decide what matters. Starting from an evolutionary theory of social competition for status, he develops an anatomy of our class system, from lower classes to upper, from status symbols to the subtle counter-signals of elites. Why do we strive to reach the top? Is inequality unavoidable or can it be changed? Sauer, one of Europe’s most talked-about young philosophers, delivers precise questions rather than soothing answers. Host: Jürgen Wiebicke
Contributors
Hanno Sauer
Hanno Sauer, born in 1983, is Associate Professor of Ethics at… This text was shortened for this overview. Follow the more-link to read the full text.
Jürgen Wiebicke
Following his studies in German literature and philosophy, Jürgen … This text was shortened for this overview. Follow the more-link to read the full text.
Books
Event data
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Date:
Monday
15. June 2026
19:00 -
Pre € 24 | 21 (ermäßigt)
Eve Evening fund price € 28 | 25 (ermäßigt)
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WDR Funkhaus
Klaus-von-Bismarck-SaalWallrafplatz 5
Köln-InnenstadtPlease follow the checkroom instructions.
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Accessibility
- Sign language interpreting Available
- Induction loop Available
- Wheelchair-accessible Available
- Assistance dogs welcome Available
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