FREE_IT – AR Monuments for Diversity in Weimar
Title: AMOS THESIS AR
Student: Marinette Ahu
Location: Herder Platz
Description of the project:
Marinette Ahu: The "Amos Thesis AR" project is a memorial to the work of the first Afro-European philosopher to receive a doctorate in Europe.
Anton Wilhelm Amo:
M. A.: Anton Wilhelm Amo, born around 1703 in what is now Ghana, is one of the most fascinating and inspiring figures in the history of philosophy and African studies in Europe. Captured at a young age by Dutch slave traders, he was taken to Europe where he was presented as a gift to the royal family of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel in Germany. Unlike many other African children in similar situations, Amo was fortunate to be brought up in an environment that valued scholarship and critical thinking. Amo first studied at the University of Halle and later at the University of Wittenberg, where he obtained his doctorate in philosophy in 1734. His dissertation, entitled "De Humanae Mentis Apatheia" (On the Impassibility of the Human Mind), argued that the human mind was separate from the body and therefore unshakeable, a position that ran counter to the prevailing Cartesian-influenced views of the time. Amo argued that the mind cannot be influenced by bodily sensations and that emotions are reactions of the body rather than the soul. This work was a milestone in the philosophy of mind and anticipated ideas that would be developed much later by thinkers such as Immanuel Kant. In addition to his philosophical contributions, Amo also wrote about law and politics, particularly in his work "De Jure Maurorum in Europa" [1] (On the Law of the Moors in Europe). In this text, he defended the rights of Africans and argued for their recognition as equal human beings to Europeans - a radical position for his time. He was one of the first thinkers to articulate a critique of colonial injustice and argue in favour of racial equality. Amo taught at the University of Halle and the University of Jena. In the 18th century, these cities were under the same political authority, the Duchy of Saxony-Weimar. There he lectured on logic, metaphysics and law. Despite his significant academic contributions, however, he faced numerous prejudices and increasing discrimination. Finally, disillusioned by racism in Europe, he returned to Africa around 1747.
The life and work of Anton Wilhelm Amo is particularly inspiring for several reasons. Firstly, he is a powerful example of resilience and determination. Torn from his home and brought to Europe as a child slave, he not only survived but thrived in an often hostile environment. His academic success in an environment of systematic racial discrimination is a testament to his enormous strength of character and indomitable spirit. Amo is a pioneering figure in the fight for the rights of Africans and against racism. At a time when Africans were largely dehumanised by Europeans, he defended their humanity and their rights with remarkable intellectual rigour. His work in this area laid the foundation for future struggles for equality and social justice. Finally, I found Anton Wilhelm Amo inspiring because he combined profound philosophical thought with relevant social criticism. His writings show how philosophy can be used to scrutinise and reshape unjust social structures. Today he is recognised as a pioneer not only in the philosophy of mind, but also in post-colonial and critical race studies. I had never heard of this person, perhaps because I am not from Germany, but I was surprised to learn that a black person had a significant influence on the Enlightenment. In the history I learnt at school, all the important thinkers were European. Their work inspired their contemporaries and continues to inspire thinkers and activists around the world today who want to create a more just and fair world - much like the message of diversity I wanted to show. Creating a memorial to Anton Wilhelm Amo was not only a tribute to his remarkable personal journey, but also a way to emphasise the importance of education and critical thinking. It could inspire others to pursue their dreams and believe in their ability to make a difference, no matter what obstacles they face.
The AR Monument
M. A.: Inspired by the work of Anton Wilhelm Amo, I imagined an augmented reality monument in the form of an imposing column surrounded by intertwined hands. Each hand represents a facet of his extraordinary intellectual and educational legacy. The hands symbolise unity and cooperation, values that were central to his education at the court of the Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel near Weimar in Germany. This augmented reality memorial not only honours Amo, but also invites viewers to reflect on their own role in sharing knowledge and helping others. By celebrating Amo's life and achievements in an interactive and immersive way, this monument encourages reflection on the power of education to broaden individual and collective horizons. It encourages us to explore how collaboration can enrich our lives and strengthen the bonds that unite us as human beings. I also wanted to materialise the main theory of his thesis about bodily sensations as carriers of emotions. I wanted the viewer to be able to physically project themselves into the monument. By appealing to our synaesthesia, I ensured that the image seen could also be felt. The hands and skin, the most important organs of the sense of touch, are depicted on my column. Finally, I placed a basin of water under the column to create a contrast to the robustness of the column. The water refers to the clarity of thought and reason that was supported by the Enlightenment.
The Herder Square
M. A.: In the end, I chose Herderplatz as the location for my memorial. This was a matter of course for me when I decided to focus my work on Anton Amo. After all, Johann Gottfried von Herder is one of the most important figures in philosophy [2]. He laid foundations that were adopted by many after him, especially Hegel, for example. He theorised the philosophy of language and interpretation, political philosophy, the philosophy of religion and also the philosophy of the mind and soul, such as Amo. The Herder statue in front of the Church of St Peter and Paul is already standing on this square. I found it interesting to unite religion and the philosophy of the Enlightenment on the same square. The main idea of the Enlightenment was to move away from religion and the belief in gods and instead strive for logical thinking based on the observation of tangible phenomena.
[1] Anton Wilhelm Amo at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittemberg www.amo.uni-halle.de? lang=en, Anton Wihlelm Amo Der erste Schwarze Philosoph Deutschlands, Werner Bloch, 11 September 2020, Zeit Online www.zeit.de/kultur/2020-09/anton-wilhelm-amo-philosoph-rassismus-mohrenstrasse-berlin
[2] Johann Gottfried von Herder, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 23 October 2001 (19,5,2022)