The anthology "Wem folgen? Über Sinn, Wandel und Aktualität von Vorbildern" [Whom to follow? On the meaning, change, and relevance of role models] by André Schütte & Jürgen Nielsen-Sikora (Springer/J.B. Metzler) deals with controversial discussions about the function and relevance of role models. This interdisciplinary project, drawing on philosophy, education, history, and media studies, sheds light on current topics in social media, film, and educational debate. Readers gain broad insight into the changes and current state of role model research.

Constribution abstract Jan Christoph Heiser: With the long-term goal of a "Weltgeschichte der Philosophie" [World History of Philosophy] (1982), Karl Jaspers highlights four influential figures of the so-called Axial Age – the authoritative figures: Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, and Jesus, who are described as original, supra-historical, and independent role models and whose work has essential cultural relevance and enduring anthropological exemplarity. With this change of perspective – which also represents a break in the reception of role models and cultural heroes – Jaspers turns his attention decisively to the philosophy of extra-European cultures and paves the way for intercultural philosophy. In this article, the four influential figures are contextualized as role models who shaped society and culture, presented in their decidedly pedagogical role as teachers, and discussed within the framework of an existential-intercultural theory of education.

Keywords: Role models, Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, world philosophy, periechetonology, interculturalism, intercultural education, understanding others, enlightenment, teaching and learning