Im Grunde gut? Perspektiven auf die Natur des Menschen

An Evening of Inspiration and Discussion with Andrea Velz

Are human beings selfish by nature? Or do we all carry within us the potential for cooperation and goodness? These fundamental questions are at the heart of an evening of inspiration and discussion with Andrea Velz, focusing on two groundbreaking books: Humankind: A Hopeful History by the Dutch historian Rutger Bregman and The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow.

Both books have sparked lively debate. In his bestselling work, Rutger Bregman challenges the widespread assumption that human beings are inherently selfish or bad. Drawing on numerous historical and scientific examples, he argues that empathy, mutual aid, and cooperation are the qualities that have enabled our species to thrive. In doing so, he deliberately counters the pessimistic view of human nature that often dominates political and social debates.

Anthropologists David Graeber and David Wengrow likewise offer a remarkable reinterpretation of human history. They argue that there has never been a single “natural” path leading societies toward hierarchy and authoritarianism. Instead, people throughout history have continuously experimented with diverse and creative ways of living together. Their research invites us to question conventional narratives about humanity’s past and to imagine new possibilities for our future.

Educator Andrea Velz will present the central ideas of both books and explore the connections between them. What do these new perspectives mean for our understanding of community, politics, and social life? Can we learn from the past to shape a better future? And what role does our image of “human nature” play in current debates on democracy, justice, and social responsibility?

The audience is warmly invited to reflect on these questions and to actively participate in the discussion during and after the presentation.

The event will take place on 26 September at 7:30 p.m. at the IKOB – Museum of Contemporary Art. It is organized in cooperation with Attac East Belgium (Attac DG).

Andrea Velz, born on 16 March 1978, is an educator, coach, and lifelong researcher of the human experience. She is passionate about exploring the fundamental questions of human existence and living together—both through lived experience and thoughtful reflection.