The paper presents a project that is addressing the issue of decision-making in the autobiography. The project is carried out in the framework of the Collaborative Research Centre “Cultures of Decision-making” at the University of Münster, which looks at the social processes of decision-making. It analyzes literary autobiographies, but also autobiographies of politicians. A central role is played by the autobiographical writings of Goethe. Against the background of the standard structures of autobiography, the motif of ‘Hercules at the Crossroads’ takes on a leading analytical function, in that it exposes the path of life as an autobiographical model of reflexion.

The lecture will be held in German. 

Respondent: Dirk von Petersdorff (Neuere deutsche Literatur, Jena/Köln)