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Abstract
In this course, students critically engage with ethical problems posed by man-made climate change. These include 1) framing of climate change as a social dilemma; 2) the balancing of the costs of climate change as they relate to current and future generations as well as non-human entities; and 3) questions regarding the responsibility of the state and individuals in mitigating climate change.
Objective
After successful completion of the course, students will be able to discuss, identify and position themselves with regard to issues of ethics and justice that arise in relation to anthropocentric climate change.
Content
Man-made climate change confronts us with difficult ethical problems. Our use of fossil fuels and the associated warming of the climate increases the likelihood of extreme climate events such as droughts and floods and often jeopardizes the livelihoods of people in the poorest countries that are not among the main emitters. What characterizes climate change as an ethical problem is that 1) the causal responsibility for it lies neither with any one individual nor with any one individual state, 2) that most of the consequences, such as rising sea levels, will be borne by future generations or people other than the polluters, and that 3) solutions to mitigate warming require fundamental societal changes that raise questions of activism and personal responsibility. The course addresses these questions by critically reviewing utilitarian approaches, exemplified by John Broome's book "Climate Matters: Ethics in a warming world" (e.g. the use of cost-benefit analyses to assess the ethical consequences of global warming) and contrasting them with virtue ethics and Kantian approaches. Specifically the course examines the ethical implications of our individual contributions to global warming, questions of justice and political responsibility borne by citizens, states and companies. Proposals that combine utilitarian theories with economic models, such as a market for carbon certificates and carbon off-setting, will form the starting point in the seminar in order to reflect on and critically examine one's own ethical role and the ethical foundations of social measures.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
The Ethics of Climate Change
Does not take place this semester.
|
No time listed | 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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