Social spatiality: some rudimentary thoughts on the epistemology of Benno Werlen
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2014Author
Strohmayer, Ulf
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Strohmayer, U. (2014) 'Social spatiality: some rudimentary thoughts on the epistemology of Benno Werlen'. Geographica Helvetica, 69 :139-143.
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Abstract
Benno Werlen requires no introduction to readers of Geographica
Helvetica: arguably the most internationally resonating
of names amongst Swiss human geographers writing
today, the Jena-based social geographer has not only published
prolifically over the course of the last three decades
(with arguably one of his first position-embracing papers
published in the pages of this journal; see Werlen, 1986), he
has furthermore left a considerable imprint on the next generation
of theoretically aware human geographers expressing
their ideas through the medium of German today. Significantly,
this influence extends beyond the often ritualistic
invocation of a name and makes itself felt in the tacit acceptance
of basic premises, academic tactics and research
programmes. Since 2005, much of the ensuing research has
found a home in the Sozialgeographische Bibliothek, a series
of books edited by Werlen for the Franz Steiner Verlag,
which both expresses and solidifies the grasp of his influence
within German-speaking human geography today. And while
it would be premature to speak of pilgrimages that mount
the lofty heights towards Werlen’s apartment in the centre
of one of Germany’s oldest university towns, I gladly admit
to being no stranger to Werlen’s famous hospitality in Jena
myself. Thankfully though, the gregariousness encountered
when meeting Benno Werlen is matched by an ever-present
invitation to discuss, debate and challenge whichever idea is
accorded centre stage on the day. The present contribution to
the Interfaces section of Geographica Helvetica was written
as an homage to this invitation.