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Seminar: Critical Thinking
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:18
Abstract
Critical thinking is one of the unique characteristics of humans. In this interdisciplinary seminar, we aim to explore the spheres and dimensions of critical thinking from the perspectives of art and ethics.
Objective
In this seminar on "Critical Thinking", we aim to equip students with the essential skills needed to thrive in a dynamic, confusing and ever-changing field. We strive for exploring the fundamental principles of critical thinking and its application within the realm of research and technology.
Content
Through the increasing complexity of everyday reality, humans are – based on their moral capability – challenged to find insights into norms that are adequate to reality, and to consider in a more differentiated and better manner. In today's rapidly evolving technological innovation and development, the ability to think critically is paramount. In situations and cases where the sensitivity of humans for the rule-transcending uniqueness of the concrete come into play, ethics embraces critical thinking. This ethics beyond principles and norms accounts for the truth that in a concrete encounter with concrete persons in a concrete situation rules reach their limit, because the concrete in its uniqueness outranks the rule. Ethical and legal norms and their validity are of course not questioned. They are re-confirmed by this striving for justice. At the same time, ethics – by taking into account the rule-transcending uniqueness of the concrete – ensures that the ethical and legal norms serve humans and not vice-versa. This rule-transcending uniqueness of the concrete requires, however, ethically critical and constructive thinking by humans. in this seminar, we will delve into various aspects of critical thinking, including, artistic and ethical questioning, historical and social contextualization, thinking out of the box, logical deduction, holistic research and creative problem formulation. We will also look at different contemporary theoretical and philosophical discourses that provide alternative perspectives. By enhancing critical thinking skills, we will be better prepared to contribute to technological advancements and excel in their future careers in a sustainable way, taking different major planet developments into consideration (global change, climate crisis, future of work, society, et al.)
Resources
Lecture Notes
Peter G. Kirchschlaeger (2023). Ethical Decision-Making. Baden-Baden: Nomos-Verlag.
Literature
Simon Blackburn (2021). Ethics: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Immanuel Kant: What is Enlightenment? David Graeber: Anarchy – in a manner of Speaking (excerpts) Plato: The Allegory of the Cave Donna Haraway: A Cyborg Manifesto, 1991 Legacy Russell: Glitch Feminism - A Manifesto, 2020 Thomas Nagel: Right and Wrong Kate Crawford: Atlas of AI: Chapter Six: State, 2021 P. G. Kirchschlaeger: AI and the Complexity of Ethics, 2020 Ben Vickers and K Allado-McDowell: Atlas of an Anomalous AI, 2023
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Seminar: Critical Thinking |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Vertiefungen (alle): Wahlfächer (Courses from the ETH course catalogue may be chosen in agreement with your tutor. As an alternative to the elective courses, students may do a second semester project or an internship in industry. Please consult your tutor.)
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Doktorat Informationstechnologie und Elektrotechnik (A minimum of 12 ECTS credit points must be obtained during doctoral studies (also see sub-categories for details) More Information at )
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Überfachliche Kompetenzen (During the doctoral studies, at least 1 CP ECTS must be acquired in the field of ethics / good scientific practice. See also .)
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