The University of Graz today honors two outstanding scientists for their special scientific achievements with an honorary doctorate in philosophy. In addition to the historian Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ivan Părvev will also be the religious scholar Prof. Dr. Jörg Rüpke, Co-Director of the Max Weber College at the University of Erfurt, was awarded this special honor.
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Rüpke is honored as one of the world’s leading experts on the history of the ancient Roman religion and for his services in cooperation with the University of Graz, in particular as one of the initiators and ideas behind the international graduate school “Resonant world relations in socio-religious practices in antiquity and the present”.
But honorary doctorates are not only an honor, they also contain an obligation: Following the custom of the University of Graz, the honorary doctors vow to “preserve an honorable memory of the University of Graz and to support its concerns, as well as the honor that has been conferred on them, to preserve unharmed and without blame and finally to apply their erudition, their knowledge and their wisdom – according to their humanity – for the salvation and well-being of people and never deviate from this task “.
This warning about the task of science in society has always been taken particularly seriously by the Max Weber College. Hartmut Rosa, Director of the Max Weber College: “We are delighted with Jörg Rüpke about this outstanding award for his scientific oeuvre as well as for his tireless commitment in terms of promoting young talent and the transfer of scientific knowledge to society.”
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