The best-selling author and ZDF philosopher Richard David Precht is resigning from his honorary professorship at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg with immediate effect following allegations of anti-Semitism. “The university management,” said a spokesman, “respects this decision and thanks Mr. Precht for his great commitment and the work he has done for the university over many years.”
The Leuphana student parliament had previously called for an end to the collaboration after controversial statements by Precht. According to the students, his comments were “deeply anti-Semitic.”
Precht commented on Orthodox Judaism in an episode of the ZDF podcast “Lanz und Precht”. After criticism, the editorial team removed the relevant passage. In the episode, Precht said that their religion forbids Orthodox Jews from working: “Except for a few things, like diamond trading and a few financial transactions.”
Jewish organizations rejected this and accused Precht of spreading anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Precht himself subsequently regretted that a formulation had been used that had caused offense and led to criticism. But it was not meant the way it was understood.
Precht has been an honorary professor at the Institute for Philosophy and Art Studies at Leuphana University since 2011.