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Environmental Ethics
Ethik und Umwelt
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:38
Abstract
The pressing environmental challenges of today demand a critical reflection. Ethics is an important tool for doing so. This lecture introduces the basics of ethics and provides in-depth knowledge of environmental ethics and its debates. This theoretical background will be applied and critically reflected using examples of current environmental challenges.
Objective
On completion of this lecture, you have acquired the ability to identify, analyze, critically reflect and resolve ethical challenges in general and specifically regarding the environment. You know basic concepts, positions and lines of argumentation from the debate in environmental ethics, which you have applied and discussed in smaller exercises.
Content
- Introduction to general and applied ethics. - Overview and discussion of ethical theories relevant to address environmental challenges. - Familiarisation with various basic standpoints within environmental ethics. - Cross-section topics, such as sustainability, intergenerational justice, protection of species, etc. - Practicing of newly acquired knowledge in smaller exercises.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Presentation slides of the individual sessions will be distributed, including the most important theories and keywords; extended reading lists.
Literature
- Angelika Krebs (Hrg.) Naturethik. Grundtexte der gegenwärtigen tier- und ökoethischen Diskussion 1997 - Andrew Light/Holmes Rolston III, Environmental Ethics. An Anthology, 2003 - John O'Neill et al., Environmental Values, 2008 - Konrad Ott/Jan Dierks/Lieske Voget-Kleschin, Handbuch Umweltethik, 2016 Generel introductions: - Barbara Bleisch/Markus Huppenbauer: Ethische Entscheidungsfindung. Ein Handbuch für die Praxis, Zürich 2014, 2. Auflage - Marcus Düwell et. al (Hrg.), Handbuch Ethik, 2. Auflage, Stuttgart (Metzler Verlag), 2006 - Johann S. Ach et. al (Hrg.), Grundkurs Ethik 1. Grundlagen, Paderborn (mentis) 2008
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Ethik und Umwelt
Die genauen Unterrichtszeiten von ONLINE - Veranstaltungen werden von den Dozierenden kommuniziert.
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2 h weekly |
Offered In
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GESS Science in Perspective (Only the topics listed in this paragraph can be chosen as GESS Science in Perspective. Further below you will find the "type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. 6 ECTS need to be acquired during the BA and 2 ECTS during the MA Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (Suitable for all students. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses: Recommended for doctoral, master and bachelor students (after first-year examination only). Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again. These course units are also listed under "Type A", which basically means all students can enroll)
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Additional Elective Courses (These Electives may be chosen from the start of the Bachelor Study Programme.)
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