Prometheus: Modern Technology in the Light of an Ancient Myth

Prometheus is one of the few figures from ancient mythology who remain relevant today—as the bringer of fire, he has become a symbol of culture and civilization. Critics of technological progress, in particular, draw on him: After Günter Anders coined the term “Promethean shame,” Martina Heßler has recently spoken of “Promethean helplessness” and Peter Slotderdijk of “Promethean remorse.” Following a brief overview of these interpretations of Prometheus, the lecture returns to his ancient origins. A look at the tragedy Prometheus Bound can sharpen our understanding of the Promethean legacy in the present day. Viewed through the prism of the ancient myth, the Promethean paradox emerges—one into which the modern world is heading.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Jonas Grethlein is a member of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. He studied Greek and Latin philology as well as history in Göttingen, Oxford, and Freiburg. After a two-year fellowship at Harvard University, Jonas Grethlein served as an assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (USA) in 2007. Since 2008, he has been a professor of “Classical Philology: Greek Literature” at the University of Heidelberg. He has been honored with numerous awards for his scholarly work, including the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize (2006) and the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2024) from the DFG.

Additional program items:

• Opening remarks by Dr. Hans J. Reiter, Director General and Head of Department at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts
• Report from the Young Academy I HAdW
• President’s Report
• Award Ceremony

Musical Accompaniment

Clemens Seewald (baritone)
Elitsa Desseva (piano)

Part I
Franz Schubert “Prometheus” (D 674)

Part II “The Shadows of Fire”
Franz Schubert “The Gods of Greece” (D 677)
Georg Kreisler “My Freedom. Your Freedom”

Part III “The Light of the Fire”
Vaughan Williams “Let Beauty Awake” (from *Songs of Travel*)
Gustav Holst “What the Heart Worships”