Prof. Dr. Christine Abbt is a cooperation partner of the METIS project at ETHZ.
The METIS project, headed by Prof. Dr. Michael Hampe, Chair of Philosophy at ETHZ, aims to compile an internet portal for the world literature of wisdom and make it publicly accessible. The literature of wisdom traditions of different cultures are to be researched without presupposing an anthropological essentialism or universalism and while avoiding Eurocentrism.
For this reason, three methodological models are taken as a starting point:
Firstly, Nelson Goodman's theory of constitution is used in order to be able to interpret the concepts of the wisdom traditions as respective variants of each other with the help of hypothetical interpretative elements.
Ludwig Wittgenstein's method of “perspicuous presentation” also makes it possible to organize a variety of phenomena and to highlight their differences and similarities without having to prematurely assume definitions of essence.
Finally, pragmatist maxims, according to which philosophical attempts at classification and understanding should be dedicated to texts and activities that are practically relevant for successful human life and coexistence.
