Dieter Weber

Prof. Dr. Dieter Weber serves as a Professor in the Department of Social Work (F5SA) at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, specifically within Faculty V - Diaconia, Health and Social Affairs. His office is located in Room 3D.1.05 at Blumhardtstr. 2, 30625 Hannover, and he can be contacted at dieter.weber@hs-hannover.de or by phone at +49 511 9296 3154. Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Prof. Weber serves as a member of the Senate of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover and chairs the Commission for Transparency in Research and Ethics at Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts (TEK-HsH).

Prof. Weber's research and teaching focus on the ethical and anthropological foundations of social work and special education, theories of social work, philosophy of science, and denomination ethics. His work bridges theological perspectives with social work practice, particularly exploring concepts of recognition, ethics in pluralistic societies, and the philosophical underpinnings of helping professions. He has developed a distinctive approach that integrates Gadamer's hermeneutics, phronesis (practical wisdom), and recognition theory into social work methodology.

His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward understanding social work as a practice of recognition and ethical reflection. Over the past two decades, his research has evolved from examining theological anthropology and biblical perspectives on illness to developing comprehensive frameworks for ethical decision-making in social work and medical contexts. His recent work particularly emphasizes dialogical-hermeneutical approaches to moral case deliberation and the application of phronesis in pluralistic social environments.

Prof. Weber has made significant contributions through numerous monographs, edited volumes, and scholarly articles. His 2000 monograph "The History of God and the History of Nature – a Family Resemblance?" established early foundations for his work, while his ongoing project ">Social Work< as a Practice of Recognition. An Attempt at a Scientific-Theoretical Reflection on Helping Professions" represents the culmination of his theoretical development. He has co-edited important volumes such as "Ethics as the Art of Living – Festschrift for Friedrich Heckmann" (2018) and "Theology and Cosmology: History and Expectations for Contemporary Dialogue" (2004).