From 1947 to 1951, he studied philosophy, theology and sociology in Göttingen, Münster and Freiburg.

In 1969, Lübbe became professor in Bielefeld and secretary of state with the minister-president of North Rhine-Westphalia.

[1] Lübbes philosophical work focuses on a theory of modern civilization and liberal democracy.

A prominent opponent of the protests of 1968 in Germany, he analyzed the acceleration of social change and emphasized the relevance of common sense, traditional virtues, stable political institutions and religious orientations in modern, highly dynamic societies.

[4] Lübbe and Habermas frequently clashed about the role of political intellectuals in a liberal democracy.