Arnold Gehlen zur Einführung

Arnold Gehlen (1904-1976) is one of the brilliant minds of conservatism in Germany. His sharp-tongued style and grim humor earned him the respect of his opponents, and in the case of Adorno, even affection. Above all, Gehlen, alongside Max Scheler and Helmuth Plessner, is one of the most influential representatives of philosophical anthropology. He defines humans as "deficient beings" due to their inadequate biological endowment. As such, they rely on compensatory achievements, which is why "relief" is the focal point of Gehlen's thought. Humans find this relief in the institutions, which are the main theme of Gehlen's social-philosophical work. However, he observed that these institutions were in a state of decay, particularly in Western Europe.