Bourgeoisie and intellectual history - An speech before the society of intellectual history

The German concept of "Burgertum" is often reduced to two things: citizenship and the "class-specific" bourgeoisie. This lecture shows that there is no authoritative definition of "BUrgertum", and there cannot be one, because "Burgertichkeit" ("bourgeoisness" /"citizenness") is a humanistic phenomenon that is subject to change with the times. Only a "Burgertum" that is aware of itself can be a "Burgertum". It does not fit into a matrix or ideology, but rather is obliged to ethical principles, even when the "Burgertum" believes that it must question these. Citizens are neither "good" nor "bad," but a "good citizen " will only desire that "all is well " for the state and society. Thus, the "Burgertum" will constantly fail but also always revive itself.