Ole Fogh Kirkeby and the concept of event

A person who has inspired me immensely is Ole Fogh Kirkeby. He develops the concept of event in several works, where he particularly focuses on how the event is not just an incident, but a philosophical and existential opening that creates the possibility of change, ethics and new meaning. His approach combines classical philosophical tradition with modern existential philosophy and practical applications, e.g. in management and organizational theory.

1. The event as rupture and opportunity

Kirkeby sees the event as a radical interruption in continuity. It is a moment when the linear process is broken and something new can arise. He describes this as a "suspension of the order of necessity" – that is, a situation where the world no longer seems bound by its normal rules, but where the possible emerges.

He writes that the event creates a horizon for action:

"The event is a horizon within which we must act, but which also gives us the opportunity to create a new order.”

2. Ethics and responsibility in the event

For Kirkeby, the event is closely linked to ethics. When something new arises, it challenges the individual or community to act and take responsibility. He sees the event as an opportunity to act ethically and create a better future, but also as an obligation, because it requires courage to step into the unknown.

He formulates it this way:

"The ethos of the event lies in the choice – the moment when we choose to give it meaning and let it commit us to action.”

3. The role of the body in the event

One of Kirkeby's special contributions is his emphasis on the role of the body in the experience of the event. He sees the body as a crucial player in our ability to sense and respond to events. The event is not only something that happens in the mind, but something that is also felt physically and bodily.

4. The event in organizational and managerial context

Kirkeby transfers his philosophical thoughts to practice, especially in the field of management. He believes that a good leader must be able to identify and act on events – the moments when new opportunities arise. A leader must be open to the unpredictable and create a framework in which events can unfold for the good of the community.

He writes about the leader as the "manager of the event":

"The leader must be aware of the event as an opportunity for transformation, not as something to be controlled, but as something to be understood and nurtured.”

5. Time and the Event

For Kirkeby, time is crucial to the essence of the event. He sees the event as a "moment" that transcends chronological time. The event has a special temporal character, where past, present and future are intertwined in a creative and meaning-making moment.