Interpretation in the Arts and in Economics: Exploring the Anglo-German Divide

It is difficult to imagine much sharper contrasts in interpretation than those to be found on contemporary English and German theatre stages: a case of performance and narrative vs. concept and ideas. Is there a link between this divide and the fact that academic economics in England is predominantly empirical while it is theoretical in Germany? If so, where else can we trace such an Anglo-German divide, where does it come from and, crucially, is there anything we can learn from it?

In this two-day interdisciplinary workshop we will trace these differences and try to understand possible connections. We will first focus on operatic theatre and economics, including economic history and policy. We will try to explore similar divides in philosophy, in law and the social sciences, in literature and in the visual arts, both in history and in contemporary practice.