Das Kreuz mit der Selbstliebe (The Burden of Self-Love)

Current societal analyses highlight concepts such as “individualization,” “self-optimization,” and “self-realization,” which converge in the diagnosis of pronounced egocentrism in late or postmodern individuals. While traditional Christian self-concepts, particularly within the Lutheran tradition, may appear as a promising alternative, feminist theological approaches and insights from various disciplines challenge this notion. They problematize radical self-denial and one-sided self-sacrifice, especially in relation to community-building and power dynamics.
In my habilitation project, I explore the possibility of a positive self-relationship, encompassed within the often negatively perceived concept of self-love. I examine how such a self-relationship should be constructed to avoid egotism and selfishness, while upholding the relational character of Christian anthropology and acknowledging mutual responsibility and care.