What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century

Admission 7.00 €, Reduced admission 3.50 €,
up to 18 years admission free
Detailed information on accessibility

“What is Enlightenment?” asked pastor Johann Friedrich Zöllner in 1783, writing for the Berlinische Monatsschrift. The editors of the monthly magazine put this question to their readers, thus igniting a debate that would shape the course of philosophy. Taking its contradictions and ambivalences into account, the exhibition reveals conflicts over concepts and demands, rather than presenting the Enlightenment as a homogeneous, progressive undertaking. In doing so, it also aims to make clear that the ideas of equality and tolerance prevalent then do not always correspond to those held today and, moreover, were often not implemented in practice. From the search for knowledge and a new understanding of science, debates about religion, the equality and liberty of all humankind, to the demand for civil rights as well as mercantilism and cosmopolitanism – the exhibition will examine this wide range of topics of the so-called “long eighteenth century” from an international perspective.

View into the exhibition

Objekte im Ausstellungsraum. — View into the exhibition “What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century”

© DHM/David von Becker

Personen schauen sich die Ausstellung an. — View into the exhibition “What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century”

© DHM/David von Becker

Ein Mann betrachtet ein Bild mit Vogel. — View into the exhibition “What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century”

© DHM/David von Becker

Eine Person sieht sich ein Video an. — View into the exhibition “What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century”

© DHM/David von Becker

Ein Mann betrachtet eine männliche Büste in einer Vitrine. — View into the exhibition “What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century”

© DHM/David von Becker

Menschen sitzen an einem Tisch und lesen oder hören etwas. — View into the exhibition “What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century”

© DHM/David von Becker

Personen beschäftigen sich mit Objekten und Materialien in der Ausstellung. — View into the exhibition “What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century”

© DHM/David von Becker

Drei Personen sehen sich ein Video an. — View into the exhibition “What is Enlightenment? Questions for the Eighteenth Century”

© DHM/David von Becker

Our digital format “More Story” provides background information and insight into the exhibition independently of a visit to the museum.

Barrier-free offers

The exhibition is designed to be accessible and engages all the senses.

Interviews with experts

What is Enlightenment? 19 Interviews led by the exhibition‘s curator Liliane Weissberg with experts from the field of from science, culture and media will help to show that the Enlightenment still raises important questions and can offer possible answers for the present and the future.

Grafik mit Text "Aufklärung Now" und anderen Wörtern.

Enlightenment NOW

What is the meaning of (in-)equality, tolerance, edification and education, human rights, gender models, individuality, and reason? What did they mean in the 18^th century and how do we understand them now? What do young people associate with these topics today?