Archiving the Literary Estate of Nicholas Luhmann

This special podcast episode features an interview with Johannes Schmidt, the project coordinator for the Nicholas Luhmann Archive at Bielefeld University. Schmidt discusses the importance of archiving Luhmann's literary estate and the work involved in organizing and digitizing the collection. The archive contains various sections, including the famous card index system that Luhmann used for his research. Schmidt explains the unique characteristics of the card index, such as its specific organization method, numbering system, linking system, and comprehensive keyword index. He highlights the significance of preserving and making accessible Luhmann's work, as his theory of social systems has had a profound impact on sociology and other disciplines. The archive's future plans include publishing more versions of Luhmann's theory of society, digitizing manuscripts, and expanding the online portal.