The Hodges Foundation

for Philosophical Orientation
In all situations of life, the very first thing one does
is orient oneself. Orientation precedes everything else,
all perceiving, thinking, and acting;
it decides which directions we pursue.
It seems simple but is very complex,
and it has so far hardly been explored.

Our Mission

The Hodges Foundation for Philosophical Orientation (HFPO) is based on the philosophy of orientation, as developed by Werner Stegmaier, and strives to promote, research, and further develop this philosophy in theory and practice in academia and among the general public.

The HFPO provides a place and a platform for philosophical research and investigation into not only the conditions and structures of human orientation, but also to what extent philosophical orientations are necessary, possible, and beneficial in everyday life. It seeks to philosophically reflect and confront the vast reorientations humanity is facing in the 21st century.

The HFPO is neither for profit, nor does it follow any political or religious aims. It wants to support and promote orientation research not only in academia, but also in cooperation with people who are not able to withdraw into quiet rooms for reflection and who are professionally confronted with surprising situations – entrepreneurs and their employees, politicians, diplomats, journalists, lawyers, doctors, teachers, ministers, artists, athletes, marketeers, and many others. They all develop skills and competences of orientation that philosophy has traditionally passed over.

News and Updates

New Webinar: “Philosophical Critiques of Morality: Nietzsche and Stegmaier”

May 30, 2023

Organized by Dr. Reinhard G. Mueller and Dr. Dr. Timon Boehm Weekly meetings will take place on Tuesdays 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (US Central Time) beginning on June 13, 2023....

Webinar on “Chinese Philosophy and the Philosophy of Orientation” starting on May 24

Apr 17, 2023

Organized by Prof. Hans-Georg Moeller and Prof. Paul D'Ambrosio Weekly meetings will take place on Wednesdays 08:00 – 10:00 a.m. (US Central Time) beginning on May 24,...

Webinar on “Artificial Intelligence and Human Orientation” to Begin in April 2023

Mar 20, 2023

A new virtual seminar will begin in April, taught by Dr. Lucy Osler and Dr. Christoph Durt on the topic of "Artificial Intelligence and Human Orientation." This seminar...

The Digitization of Our World: New Publication by Orientations Press

Mar 20, 2023

"How Does the Digitization of Our World Change Our Orientation?" – this was the question of our first prize competition that took place in the years of 2019-2021. We...

HFPO Helps Restore Nietzsche’s Room in Sils-Maria, Switzerland

Mar 1, 2023

In search for a climate and weather most therapeutic for his poor health, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) discovered his favorite place for working in the Swiss region...

Research Colloquium

HFPO Research Colloquium: Accepting Applications Now

Jan 11, 2023

This year, we are starting our HFPO Research Colloquium. It is designed to provide a collaborative space for researchers with any disciplinary background to present and...

Orientation in Ancient Greek Philosophy Seminar

New Seminar on Ancient Greek Philosophy and Literature Starting in February

Jan 9, 2023

Announcing our new virtual seminar: "Orientation/Disorientation in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Literature," taught by Dr. Olga Faccani and Dr. Enrico Mueller.   Many...

art of living - orientation

“The Art of Living as an Art of Orientation”: by Werner Stegmaier

Oct 27, 2022

"Human life certainly leaves room for its shaping, but hardly for modeling it like a free-standing statue. The model of fine arts must not obscure how narrow the leeway...

HFPO Prize Competition 2023

Prize Competition 2022-23: How to Orient Oneself in Times of Multiple Crises?

Oct 25, 2022

Today, on the day of our foundation's third anniversary, we are excited to launch a new prize competition!   The prize question for the years 2022-23 is: How to...

Activities and Projects

Philosophical orientation cannot and should not only be studied, but it must also prove itself in practice. Therefore, the HFPO will pursue a variety of projects, some academic in nature, many intended for the general public. The planned projects will continuously be developed and expanded.

PhD Dis­ser­tation Fellow­ships

Philo­sophi­cal Prize Com­pe­ti­tion

Virtual Seminar

Video Podcasts

The Philosophy
of Orientation

A New Philosophical Approach

Philosophy has, from its very beginnings and throughout history, continually reoriented itself. Today, institutionalized at universities, philosophy oftentimes seems confined to either making terms more precise or to justifying moral norms. The philosophy of orientation, as Werner Stegmaier has developed it over several decades, instead observes and reflects how different philosophies orient themselves from different standpoints, in different perspectives, and within different horizons.