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Environmental Ethics
Ethik und Umwelt
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:01
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
- BSC , DS , DR
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Ethik und Umwelt |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses. Particularly relevant for students interested in those subjects. All these courses are also listed under the category “Typ A”, and every student can enroll in these courses.)
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Additional Elective Courses (These Electives may be chosen from the start of the Bachelor Study Programme.)
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Electives (This structure can be chossen during the study year 2022/23 for the last time.)
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Electives - new selsction (These elctives can be chosen in autumn semester 2022 alreday.This structure will be the only one starting autumn semester 2023.)
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Electives (A list with possible electives will be published separately.)
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Doctorate Biology (More Information at: )