The University of Münster honours philosopher Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Carl Friedrich Gethmann for his life's work. Gethmann, who will be awarded an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of History & Philosophy on Friday, 24 October 2025, uniquely combines reflection on fundamental and methodological questions of his discipline with the practical application of philosophical expertise in political consulting and social discourse.

The emeritus professor at the University of Duisburg/Essen is being honoured for his groundbreaking work on logic, scientific theory, philosophy of language, metaphysics, epistemology and ethics, as well as for being an exemplary representative of applied philosophy, which is considered a hallmark of the Münster Department of Philosophy.  In addition to Gethmann's philosophical life's work in the narrower sense, the Faculty therefore highlights his often politically influential contributions to scientific ethics, medical ethics, environmental ethics, technology assessment and risk assessment, issues which the philosopher continues to pursue with great commitment even after his retirement.

The ceremony, to which the Faculty also invites the interested public, will take place on Friday at 10:15 a.m. in the Studiobühne in the Philosophikum (Domplatz 23). The laudatory speech will be given by Münster philosopher Oliver R. Scholz. Carl Friedrich Gethmann will then express his gratitude for this rare honour with a commemorative lecture entitled ‘Über 2 Begriffe von “Möglichkeit”’ [‘On 2 Concepts of “Possibility”’].