Department of Intercultural Philosophy of Religion

Trivia

Profile of the department and academic discipline

“Intercultural Philosophy of Religion” is understood as a systematic philosophy of religion that draws on current approaches and debates within the global philosophical discourse. Despite the indispensable knowledge of traditions, an intercultural philosophy of religion is not limited to historical-philological research, but seeks dialogue with secular and religious philosophical currents in Europe and other regions of the world.

The intercultural orientation of Philosophy of Religion encompasses several dimensions:

  • Numerous religious traditions have themselves emerged from intercultural processes.
  • As they spread to other regions, new forms have developed within certain religious traditions through processes of inculturation.
  • In global modernity, religious traditions face the challenge of further developing their self-interpretations within the global dialogue between religions and philosophy.
  • Interreligious dialogues, in turn, require a philosophical and systematic reflection on the conditions of possibility for intercultural understanding, as is currently being discussed worldwide in the approaches of intercultural, transcultural, or comparative philosophy.
  • A systematically oriented intercultural philosophy of religion examines religious traditions from a normative-critical perspective that reflects on their relationship to politics and society, particularly to democracy and human rights.
  • An intercultural philosophy of religion seeks, in particular, to engage with the (religious) philosophies of the Global South in order to confront the role of religions in global power relations, including the history of colonialism.

As a department within the Faculty of Catholic Theology, the Department of Intercultural Philosophy of Religion offers a wide range of courses in philosophy and its various subfields.
These courses not only cover the philosophy requirements for students in theological programs, but are also open to students in other fields of study, particularly philosophy and ethics.

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  • Department's history

    Overview
    from 2026/03

    Fabian Völker Head of Department.

    2025/10 - 2026/02

    Sandra Lehmann (Privatdozentin, University assistant post doc): 
    first female Head of Department

    2021

    Change of name from “Department of Christian Philosophy” to “Department of Intercultural Philosophy of Religion”.
     

    2019 - 2025

    Hans Schelkshorn: “ordentlicher” University Professor for Christian Philosophy.
    2016-2025 Head of Department.
    (1990-2000 Assistant, 2000-2007 Assistant Professor, 2007-2019 “außerordentlicher” University Professor).
     

    2006 (Kopie 1)

    Relocation of the departments of the Faculty of Catholic Theology to Schenkenstrasse 8-10.
    Administrational Assistant Agnes Leyrer.
     

    1999 - 2018

    Rudolf Langthaler: “ordentlicher” University Professor of Christian Philosophy.
    1999-2016 Head of Department.
    (1980-1984 University Assistent at the Faculty of Catholic Theology KTF). 

    1974 - 199

    Augustinus Wucherer-Huldenfeld: “ordentlicher” University Professor of Christian Philosophy and Mysticism, 
    Head of Department “Department of Christian Philosophy”.

    1978

    Former Institute of Research on Atheism (founded 1967) gets established as division / “Abteilung” for Research on Atheism at the Department of Christian Philosophy.

    from 1974
    • Johann Figl: from 1975 University Assistant, Head of division of Research of Atheism.
    • Erwin Waldschütz: from 1975 Lecturer, from 1979 University Assistant.
    • From 1974 Teaching Assignments: Arno Anzenbacher, Silvin Eiletz, Franz Hrubi, Ludger  Lang, Werner Gabriel, Günther Pöltner, Helmut Vetter, …
    1972 - 1974

    Vacancy for the Chair. Courses mainly held by Arno Anzenbacher and Karl Beck.

    1963 - 1974

    Eduard Kamenicky: Assistant of Beda Thum.

    1961 - 1972

    Beda Thum OSB: Chair of Christian Philosophy and Mysticism.

    until 1962

    A. Mitterer (Fundamental Theology): Head at Department of Christian Philosophy and Mysticism.
    (Friedrich Wessely was “only” “außerordentlicher” Professor).

    until 1950

    Reinhold Oswald Meßner O.F.M.: Lecturer, from 1956 University Lecturer (Dozent).

    from 1946
    • Friedrich Wessely: “außerordentlicher” Professor / Chair of Christian Philosophy.
    • Renaming of the Department to “Department of Christian Philosophy and Mysticism” (until 1974).
    from 1929

    Johannes Messner: Lecturer (Dozent) for Moral Philosophy and “Christliche Gesellschaftslehre”
    (1935 “außerordentlicher” Professor for Ethics and Social Sciences, 1962 end of active Teaching Position as “Extraordinarius”).

    1920/22 - (?)

    Wenzel Pohl: Chair.
    (1920 - 1920 “außerordentlicher” Professor, from 1922 Professor).

    1918 - 1920

    Stand-In (Supplierung) by Georg Reinhold (Fundamental Theology).

    1913 - 1918
    • Martin Grabmann: Professor.
    • 1914: Renaming of Chair to “Christian Philosophy and Education / Pedagogy”.
    1903 - 1912

    Ernst Seydl: Professor.

    1897 - 1902
    • Virgilius Grimmich: Professor of Christian Philosophy and Pedgagy.
    • From 1900W: new name for Courses of Philosophy: “Introductory Course in Philosophy (Propädeutik) and Education (Pädagogik)”.
    1887 - 1896

    Laurenz Müllner first “ordentlicher” Professor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Catholic Theology (KTF).
    (1881-1883 Lecturer, 1883-1887 “außerordentlicher” Professor (ao.), 1891/1892 Dean of the Faculty, 1894/1895 Principal (Rektor) of the University, from 1896 Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy).

    from 1881

    First Lectures on Philosophy at the Faculty of Catholic Theology (KTF) at the University of Vienna:
    “Introduction to Philosophy and Theology” ("Philosophisch-theologische Propädeutik"); “History of Christian Philosophy” by Laurenz Müllner and Carl Werner.

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