„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 interdisciplinary thinker at the intersection 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…
More Knowledge, Less Wisdom
Ruben Stelzner offers a look into the philosophy of timeless, universal principles on the podcast “Entfalte dein Potenzial” (February 2026). more.
Verlorene Weisheit (German for Lost Wisdom)
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.
„Numbers, Myths, Clarity”
Verlorene Weisheit is featured in Buch Szene magazine (2025). more.
„Whoever Seeks the Key to Beauty Must Know the Number Phi.”
Ruben Stelzner’s philosophical essay in Credo magazine (published by H.S.H. Prince Philipp von und zu Liechtenstein, 2012).
When Numbers Tell a Story: Numbers as a Structural Element in Myths and Fairy Tales
Ruben Stelzner’s contribution to the Arbeitskreis Vergleichende Mythologie (Comparative Mythology Working Group) (2026). more.
Schaefflertanz Munich
Munich city magazine Mucbook publishes a philosophical essay by Ruben Stelzner on the Munich Schaefflertanz (2026). more.
Beauty: A Project Book
Ruben Stelzner contributes to P. Brokemper’s book, part of a series of teaching materials for educators (2009).
Jahrbuch fuer Goetheanismus
Ruben Stelzner co-authors a piece in the Tycho de Brahe Jahrbuch fuer Goetheanismus (Freie Hochschule fuer Geisteswissenschaften, Dornach, Switzerland, 2005).
The Golden Ratio: The Mystery of Beauty
part of Ruben Stelzner’s dissertation defense in the Studium fundamentale department (University of Witten/Herdecke, 2003).
Website on the golden ratio
Ruben Stelzner publishes his academy lecture together with Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schad. More at www.golden-section.eu (2004).
From the Part to the Whole. Ancient Greek Philosophy: The Origin of Scientific Thought
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).
Numbers: Idea and Reality in Ancient Greek Philosophy
Ruben Stelzner’s academic thesis for the Studium fundamentale faculty (under Prof. Rustemeyer, 2001).
Beyond Matter
Prof. Dr. O. Lazar’s book references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2021).
1 + 1 = 10: Math for Cave Dwellers
J. science writer J. Beetz’s book (Springer Verlag) references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2012).
The Secret Consciousness of Plants
J. science journalist J. Scheppach’s book (Knaur Verlag) references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2016).
Fractions, Ratios, and Roots
Dr. R. Motzer’s book (University of Augsburg, Springer Verlag) references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2018).
The Essence of All Things Is Number
N. Thielen’s book references Ruben Stelzner’s publications (2021).
Mathematics in Art from Duerer to Sol LeWitt
exhibition catalog, Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien (2008).
The Origins of Philosophy: Yearbook for Thought, Poetry, and Music
Dr. M. Stelzner et al. (Kohlhammer Verlag), essay “Die Bedeutung der Zahlen als das Verbindende zwischen Wissenschaft und Mystik” (2009).
Harmonies. A World Full of Beauty
P. Wierny’s book references Ruben Stelzner’s research (2011).
The History of Beauty
Ruben Stelzner’s work on “Der Goldene Schnitt: das Mysterium der Schoenheit” is used as a source (2013, ZDF TerraX).
Let Violence Be Far from Things
Dr. Erwin Schadel (Springer Verlag, 2016) references Ruben Stelzner’s work in his essay on Comenian pansophy.
Law
Selected Publications
Legal Questions in Healthcare
Ruben Stelzner’s book, part of the “Schriften zum Bio-, Gesundheits- und Medizinrecht” series (Nomos Verlag, 2009).
Lawyers as Entrepreneurs
Ruben Stelzner leads a seminar at LMU Munich’s Entrepreneurship Forum on lawyers as entrepreneurs (2013).
The Development of a European Healthcare Services Directive
Ruben Stelzner’s certificate thesis from his postgraduate studies (Leuphana University Lueneburg, under Prof. B. Tiemann, 2008).
Independent Healthcare Professions in the European Single Market
Ruben Stelzner leads a seminar on how healthcare professions have developed across the European Union (2006).
Article series on forms of medical practice
Ruben Stelzner writes a series on the particulars of different forms of medical practice (Bayerisches Zahnaerzteblatt, 2010).
The Criminal-Law Protection of Living Organ Donors
Ruben Stelzner gives a talk on the new legal framework for living organ donation (2008).
Health & Medicine
Selected Publications and Talks
SPIEGEL Bestseller: MAKE! in Germany
Ruben Stelzner is featured as a subject in the SPIEGEL bestseller MAKE! in Germany, by Thomas Hoppe and Sebastian Bluhm. more.
German Health Summit
Ruben Stelzner gives a keynote on the future of Germany’s healthcare system (Frankfurt, 2025). more.
Medicine 2035
Ruben Stelzner joins a panel discussion on the future of the healthcare industry at the BVD industry conference (Hamburg, 2025). more.
Practice Growth & Life Philosophy
Dr. Ruben Stelzner appears on the “Back for Good” podcast, discussing entrepreneurial growth, turning points, and new directions (2025). more.
Digitalization in the Health-Care Market
Ruben Stelzner gives a keynote on the challenges of growing healthcare companies and the opportunities digitalization brings (DSO/MSO Summit, Berlin, 2025).
“From Solo Practice to Large Practice: Opportunities and Risks”
Ruben Stelzner gives a talk as part of the Quintessenz continuing-education series (2024).
The Future of the 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).
The Future of Healthcare
Ruben Stelzner appears as a guest on the “Hoppe & Bluhm: MAKE! in Germany” podcast, discussing challenges, solutions, and entrepreneurship in healthcare (2026). more.
Healthcare Industry Meetup
Ruben Stelzner meets Federal Health Minister Hermann Groehe at the healthcare industry meetup in Munich (2016).
„MVZ: A Look Ahead“
Ruben Stelzner gives a talk at the 12th Congress of Healthcare Network Professionals (Berlin, 2017).
“Between Adaptation and Departure. New Room to Maneuver in the Healthcare Industry”
Ruben Stelzner is guest of honor at a panel discussion with Federal Health Minister Philipp Roesler at the FTD Congress (Berlin, 2011). more.
Healthcare Industry Strategy Congress of the Federal Association of MVZs
Ruben Stelzner reports on how MVZs work in practice in dentistry (2016).
Federal Health Minister’s Hearing
Ruben Stelzner testifies as an expert on Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn’s planned healthcare reform (2019).
Westfalen-Lippe Future Congress
Ruben Stelzner gives a talk on modern care models (Muenster, 2017).
“MVZ: Model for the Future or Niche Product”
a talk at the German Dental Association’s closed-session meeting on future care models (2018).
“Healthcare Professions 2.0”
Ruben Stelzner takes part in a panel discussion on the current challenges facing healthcare (2011).
“Quality Management Is the Foundation of High Treatment Quality”
a talk on quality management and high standards in medical care, given at a vocational school in Munich (2015).
Healthcare Industry Dialogue 2015
an interview on “fair-priced, quality healthcare,” published in a HypoVereinsbank print publication (2015).
„Goodbye Hippocrates“
Ruben Stelzner’s essay on the changing medical profession and the challenges facing the future of healthcare (Die Deutsche Zahnarztwoche, 2007).
„Comparative Studies on Characterizing the FlexMaster File“
a research publication on medical instruments by Ruben Stelzner et al. (Thieme Verlag, 2004).
DFZ trade journal
Ruben Stelzner et al. contribute to the continuing-education section with “Vergleichende Untersuchungen zum PROTAPER-System” (Springer Medizin, 2004).
Partnership with High Potential for Conflict
Ruben Stelzner’s piece on new case law covering forms of medical partnership (Spectator Dentistry, 2008).
Treating, Managing, Leading
Ruben Stelzner contributes to a book by D. Brendel and Th. Esche (2017).
Endodontie trade journal
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).
ZWP trade journal
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, Founders’ Competition
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”).
Best Dissertation of the Year
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.
Scholarship for Academic Research
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
The Zahl und Logos Foundation
Ruben Stelzner is a board member of this nonprofit foundation, which supports research and teaching in the philosophy of numbers. more.
Healthcare Industry Committee
Ruben Stelzner is appointed to the Healthcare Industry Committee of the IHK Munich and Upper Bavaria. more.