„Behind every kind of complexity lies something original, something that bridges differences and gives us direction.“
Dr. Dr. Ruben Stelzner
„Behind every kind of complexity lies something original, something that bridges differences and gives us direction.“
Dr. Dr. Ruben Stelzner
Dr. Dr. Ruben Stelzner
Ruben Stelzner is an entrepreneur, author, and thinker working at the crossroads of science, philosophy, and culture.
Ruben Stelzner studied a wide range of subjects across the natural sciences and the humanities. Along with exams and doctorates from medical and law faculties in Munich, Augsburg, and Witten/Herdecke, he also took philosophy at the latter through the Studium fundamentale. He’s best known as the founder of a healthcare company that gives more than 500,000 patients a year access to high-quality, affordable dental care.
No matter the discipline, his interest always centered on the structures underneath it: the foundation and core principles that make up a system, that it’s built on, and that make it coherent and understandable. Behind all complexity often stand simple, fundamental structures.
As an entrepreneur, he found himself confronted again and again with what drives people, how conflicts arise, and how they can be resolved. The combination of his interdisciplinary studies, his practical experience as an entrepreneur and father, and above all his father’s philosophical research kept leading him toward one conviction:
Countless parallels exist between fields that seem worlds apart. Despite their different technical languages and methods, they show striking similarities in their underlying structure. Whether in the natural sciences and the humanities, in psychology, or in art and culture, the same patterns keep showing up: universal, timeless, and independent of the field or the people studying it.
For thousands of years, people have captured these basic principles again and again in fairy tales and myths, art, and the great works of human history. They still fascinate us today, whether in Goethe’s masterpieces, the Egyptian pyramids, the wisdom of sacred texts, or the seemingly perfect traditions handed down through art and music. Instinctively, we sense that they carry a timeless truth. But their universal messages have often become hard for us to understand.
In a world where countless pieces of information rain down on each of us, and specialized knowledge keeps splintering into ever smaller pieces, our sense of what’s original, shared, and connecting risks getting lost. But in an age of relativism and growing arbitrariness, that’s exactly what matters more and more. The need for clarity and direction, for reliable values and timeless principles that can bring people back together, keeps moving to the front of the conversation.
Carried by this conviction, Dr. Ruben Stelzner has devoted himself to describing these universal principles, and his book Verlorene Weisheit invites readers to rediscover them.
Today, Ruben Stelzner lives in Munich with his family. He remains active as an entrepreneur and visionary in healthcare, and devotes himself, through a wide range of publications and talks, to the philosophy of universal principles.
Academic Institutions
Philosophy
Selected Publications…
Mehr Wissen, weniger Weisheit
Ruben Stelzner offers a look into the philosophy of timeless, universal principles on the podcast “Entfalte dein Potenzial” (February 2026). more.
Verlorene Weisheit
Ruben Stelzner’s new book describes the universal principles behind nature, culture, the natural sciences, and mysticism (September 2025, Goldegg Verlag). more.
Podcast on the book
Ruben Stelzner talks with book expert and bestselling author Florian Hoeper about how his book Verlorene Weisheit came together. more.
„Zahlen, Mythen, Klarheit”
Verlorene Weisheit is featured in Buch Szene magazine (2025). more.
„Wer den Schlüssel zur Schönheit sucht, muss die Zahl Phi kennen.”
Ruben Stelzner’s philosophical essay in Credo magazine (published by H.S.H. Prince Philipp von und zu Liechtenstein, 2012).
Wenn Zahlen erzählen: Zahlen als Strukturelement in Mythen und Märchen
Ruben Stelzner’s contribution to the Arbeitskreis Vergleichende Mythologie (Comparative Mythology Working Group) (2026). more.
Schäfflertanz München
Munich city magazine Mucbook publishes a philosophical essay by Ruben Stelzner on the Munich Schaefflertanz (2026). more.
Schönheit – ein Projektbuch
Ruben Stelzner contributes to P. Brokemper’s book, part of a series of teaching materials for educators (2009).
Jahrbuch für Goetheanismus
Ruben Stelzner co-authors a piece in the Tycho de Brahe Jahrbuch fuer Goetheanismus (Freie Hochschule fuer Geisteswissenschaften, Dornach, Switzerland, 2005).
Der goldene Schnitt – Das Mysterium der Schönheit
part of Ruben Stelzner’s dissertation defense in the Studium fundamentale department (University of Witten/Herdecke, 2003).
Webseite zum Goldenen Schnitt
Ruben Stelzner publishes his academy lecture together with Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schad. More at www.golden-section.eu (2004).
Vom Teil zum Ganzen. Die antike griechische Philosophie – der Ursprung des wissenschaftlichen Denkens
Ruben Stelzner’s contribution for the Studium fundamentale faculty (2002).
Sendung Zwei auf Eins
Ruben Stelzner contributes a segment on the golden ratio and beauty (2019).
Die Zahlen – Idee und Wirklichkeit in der antiken griechischen Philosophie
Ruben Stelzner’s academic thesis for the Studium fundamentale faculty (under Prof. Rustemeyer, 2001).
Jenseits von Materie
Prof. Dr. O. Lazar’s book references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2021).
1 + 1 = 10 Mathematik für Höhlenmenschen
J. science writer J. Beetz’s book (Springer Verlag) references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2012).
Das geheime Bewusstsein der Pflanzen
J. science journalist J. Scheppach’s book (Knaur Verlag) references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2016).
Brüche, Verhältnisse und Wurzeln
Dr. R. Motzer’s book (University of Augsburg, Springer Verlag) references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2018).
Das Wesen aller Dinge ist Zahl
N. Thielen’s book references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2021).
Mathematik in der Kunst von Dürer bis Sol LeWitt
exhibition catalog, Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien (2008).
Ursprünge des Philosophierens – Jahrbuch für Denken, Dichten, Musik
Dr. M. Stelzner et al. (Kohlhammer Verlag), essay “Die Bedeutung der Zahlen als das Verbindende zwischen Wissenschaft und Mystik” (2009).
Harmonien. Die Welt voller Schönheit
P. Wierny’s book references Ruben Stelzner’s research (2011).
Die Geschichte der Schönheit
Ruben Stelzner’s work on “Der Goldene Schnitt: das Mysterium der Schoenheit” is used as a source (2013, ZDF TerraX).
Gewalt sei ferne den Dingen
Dr. Erwin Schadel (Springer Verlag, 2016) references Ruben Stelzner’s work in his essay on Comenian pansophy.
Law
Selected Publications
Rechtsfragen im Gesundheitswesen
Ruben Stelzner’s book, part of the “Schriften zum Bio-, Gesundheits- und Medizinrecht” series (Nomos Verlag, 2009).
Juristen als Unternehmer
Ruben Stelzner leads a seminar at LMU Munich’s Entrepreneurship Forum on lawyers as entrepreneurs (2013).
Die Entwicklung einer europ. Gesundheitsdienstleistungsrichtlinie
Ruben Stelzner’s certificate thesis from his postgraduate studies (Leuphana University Lueneburg, under Prof. B. Tiemann, 2008).
Freie Heilberufe im europäischen Binnenmarkt
Ruben Stelzner leads a seminar on how healthcare professions have developed across the European Union (2006).
Artikelserie zu Formen der ärztlichen Berufsausübung
Ruben Stelzner writes a series on the particulars of different forms of medical practice (Bayerisches Zahnaerzteblatt, 2010).
Der strafrechtliche Schutz des Lebendorganspenders
Ruben Stelzner gives a talk on the new legal framework for living organ donation (2008).
Health & Medicine
Selected Publications and Talks
Zukunft des Gesundheitswesens
Ruben Stelzner is featured as a subject in the SPIEGEL bestseller MAKE! in Germany, by Thomas Hoppe and Sebastian Bluhm. more.
Dt. Gesundheitsgipfel
Ruben Stelzner gives a keynote on the future of Germany’s healthcare system (Frankfurt, 2025). more.
Medizin 2035
Ruben Stelzner joins a panel discussion on the future of the healthcare industry at the BVD industry conference (Hamburg, 2025). more.
Praxiswachstum & Lebensphilosophie
Dr. Ruben Stelzner appears on the “Back for Good” podcast, discussing entrepreneurial growth, turning points, and new directions (2025). more.
Digitalisierung im Health-Care- Markt
Ruben Stelzner gives a keynote on the challenges of growing healthcare companies and the opportunities digitalization brings (DSO/MSO Summit, Berlin, 2025).
“Von der Einzelpraxis zur Großpraxis – Chancen und Risiken”
Ruben Stelzner gives a talk as part of the Quintessenz continuing-education series (2024).
Zukunft Mittelstand
Germany in transition, and what that means for German mid-sized businesses. Ruben Stelzner reports on the challenges facing healthcare alongside other representatives of German industry (KPMG, Frankfurt, 2026).
Zukunft des Gesundheitswesens
Ruben Stelzner appears as a guest on the “Hoppe & Bluhm: MAKE! in Germany” podcast, discussing challenges, solutions, and entrepreneurship in healthcare (2026). more.
Branchentreff Gesundheitswirtschaft
Ruben Stelzner meets Federal Health Minister Hermann Groehe at the healthcare industry meetup in Munich (2016).
„MVZ: Ein Ausblick“
Ruben Stelzner gives a talk at the 12th Congress of Healthcare Network Professionals (Berlin, 2017).
“Zwischen Anpassung und Aufbruch. Neue Spielräume in d. Gesundheitswirtschaft”
Ruben Stelzner is guest of honor at a panel discussion with Federal Health Minister Philipp Roesler at the FTD Congress (Berlin, 2011). more.
Strategiekongress Gesundheitswirtschaft des Bundesverbandes der MVZ
Ruben Stelzner reports on how MVZs work in practice in dentistry (2016).
Anhörung des Bundesgesundheitsministers
Ruben Stelzner testifies as an expert on Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn’s planned healthcare reform (2019).
Zukunftskongress Westfalen-Lippe
Ruben Stelzner gives a talk on modern care models (Muenster, 2017).
“MVZ – Zukunftsmodell oder Nischenprodukt”
a talk at the German Dental Association’s closed-session meeting on future care models (2018).
“Heilberufe 2.0”
Ruben Stelzner takes part in a panel discussion on the current challenges facing healthcare (2011).
“QM ist die Grundlage hoher Behandlungsqualität”
a talk on quality management and high standards in medical care, given at a vocational school in Munich (2015).
Branchendialog Gesundheit 2015
an interview on “fair-priced, quality healthcare,” published in a HypoVereinsbank print publication (2015).
„Goodbye Hippokrates“
Ruben Stelzner’s essay on the changing medical profession and the challenges facing the future of healthcare (Die Deutsche Zahnarztwoche, 2007).
„Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Charakterisierung der FlexMaster-Feile“
a research publication on medical instruments by Ruben Stelzner et al. (Thieme Verlag, 2004).
Fachzeitschrift DFZ
Ruben Stelzner et al. contribute to the continuing-education section with “Vergleichende Untersuchungen zum PROTAPER-System” (Springer Medizin, 2004).
Gemeinschaft mit hohem Streitpotenzial
Ruben Stelzner’s piece on new case law covering forms of medical partnership (Spectator Dentistry, 2008).
Behandeln – Steuern – Führen
Ruben Stelzner contributes to a book by D. Brendel and Th. Esche (2017).
Fachzeitschrift Endodontie
Ruben Stelzner’s research publication, “Evaluation of the cutting efficiency of K3-files in comparison to different nickel-titanium root canal instruments” (Quintessenz Verlag, 2004).
Fachzeitschrift ZWP
numerous contributions by Ruben Stelzner on medicine and the healthcare business. more.
Awards
Bavarian Family Business of the Year (2019)
„With their innovative concept of offering state-of-the-art, fairly priced care to a very broad range of patients, they’ve successfully responded to the legal changes in the healthcare industry and built a business model that now works across many locations.“ Dr. Vesterling, Jury Chair more.
Top 10 – Gründerwettbewerb
AllDent makes the top 10 innovations at the Gruenderwettbewerb Med with its concept “Strahlend weiss zum kleinen Preis” (“Bright White Smiles at a Low Price”).
Beste Promotion des Jahres
Dr. Dr. Ruben Stelzner receives the Dissertation Award from the Foerdergemeinschaft Zahnheilkunde at the University of Witten/Herdecke for the best dissertation of the year.
Stipendium für wissenschaftliche Arbeit
Dr. Dr. Ruben Stelzner receives a scholarship from the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Kassenarztrecht for his research on new legal structures in the healthcare industry.
Volunteer & Honorary Roles
Stiftung Zahl und Logos
Ruben Stelzner is a board member of this nonprofit foundation, which supports research and teaching in the philosophy of numbers. more.
Fachausschuss Gesundheitswirtschaft
Ruben Stelzner is appointed to the Healthcare Industry Committee of the IHK Munich and Upper Bavaria. more.