Monday Forum – Learning from History: The Traveler. Georg Forster and the Discovery of Humanity

The Monday Forum is dedicated to the question of how historical perspectives shape our contemporary understanding of humanity. At its core is Georg Forster, who, as a participant in James Cook’s second circumnavigation of the globe (1772–1775), not only documented geographical discoveries but also, as one of the first Europeans, described foreign cultures with respect and curiosity. His work Travels Around the World is considered a milestone of the Enlightenment and raises questions that are still debated today: How do we encounter the unfamiliar? What lessons can be drawn from colonial narratives?

Art historian Andrea Wulf sheds light on Forster’s life and writings, which oscillate between science, adventure, and ethical reflection. It becomes clear why his ideas—such as the emphasis on universal humanity—are regaining significance in current debates on globalization, identity, and intercultural exchange.