Oskar Negt studied with Horkheimer and Adorno, worked with Habermas, was a pioneer of the student movement and a tireless fighter for democracy. The sociologist and philosopher has now died at the age of 89.
The sociologist and social philosopher Oskar Negt died at the age of 89 after a long illness. This was announced by Steidl Verlag in Göttingen, which had been publishing Negt’s books for years. “We mourn the loss of a companion and a warm-hearted friend,” the statement said. “Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife Christine Morgenroth, his four children, his close friends. You are missed, dear Oskar.”
Negt was never just a man of theory, but always commented on current political problems and conflicts, the publisher wrote.
Spokesman of the Student movement
As a young scientist, Negt made a name for himself as a spokesman for the student movement. He studied in Frankfurt am Main with Max Horkheimer and received his doctorate in philosophy with Theodor W. Adorno. From 1962 to 1970 he worked as an assistant to Jürgen Habermas. From 1970 to 2002 he was professor of sociology at the University of Hanover.
Education was a focus of the sociologist. “Political adult education was a topic close to his heart,” said Steidl Verlag. Negt tirelessly reminded people that “democracy is the only form of government that has to be learned.” In 1972, Negt founded a reform school in Hanover that still exists today.
Politicians also repeatedly sought the advice of the sociologist, who once described himself as an SPD sympathizer. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, formerly a neighbor of the sociology professor in Hanover, also congratulated him on Negt’s 85th birthday.