How does the digitization of our world change our orientation? (Essay competition)

Philosophical Prize Competition

by the

Hodges Foundation for Philosophical Orientation

How does the digitization of our world change our orientation?

It is obvious that the digitization of our world changes our orientation. But how does it do this? To orient oneself means to successfully find one's way in an ever-changing world. Our world seems to transform more rapidly than ever before, at least in part due to the digitization of its production and communication processes themselves. By means of digital technologies, production and communication becomes easier; but at the same time, we have to master the transformations that permeate both our everyday life and our political, economic, legal, scientific, artistic, and ethical orientations. How do the new digital technologies fit to the conditions and structures of our human orientation? What do their fittings enable and promise, what will they preclude, constrain or render impossible?

The philosophical prize competition is organized by the Hodges Foundation for Philosophical Orientation, which is based on Werner Stegmaier's philosophy of orientation, which investigates the conditions and structures of everyday human orientation. Stegmaier's original German book Philosophie der Orientierung (2008) has been translated by Reinhard G. Mueller in an abridged and improved version to What is Orientation? A Philosophical Investigation (Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter, 2019).

For this prize competition, the foundation expects new contributions (  yet published in any form) from various points of view, of any length, and with promising philosophical perspectives. Authors may connect to the book What is Orientation? but are not required to do so. In any case, they should offer new insights and prospects concerning the digitization of our orientation. The preferred language is English. The deadline for the submissions is October 25th, 2020.

The foundation provides the following prize awards:

• 1st prize award: $25,000
• 2nd prize award: $15,000
• 3rd prize award: $10,000
• Special student award: $5,000 (if no student is among the first 3).

The jury consists of the board of the Hodges Foundation for Philosophical Orientation (Mike Hodges, Tina Hodges, Werner Stegmaier, Reinhard G. Mueller) and two additional reviewers. The award-winning contributions will be first published on the website of the Hodges Foundation for Philosophical Orientation.

For more information, see www.hfpo.com or please contact:

• Dr. Reinhard G. Mueller, Executive Director of the Hodges Foundation for Philosophical Orientation: reinhard.mueller@hfpo.com
• Prof. Werner Stegmaier: werner.stegmaier@hfpo.com
• prize@hfpo.com