After successful completion of the course, students are able to

• distinguish conceptions of normative ethics,
• distinguish conceptions of justice,
• distinguish conceptions of the value of the natural environment and the claims of non-human animals,
• work out the implications of these considerations for selected environmental problems, especially dimensions of climate change,
• evaluate options according to criteria of justice, legitimacy and effectiveness,
• understand and consider value and goal conflicts of different actors under conditions of only partial compliance with obligations and under conditions of risk and uncertainty.

• Positions of normative ethics
• Conceptions of individual and collective responsibility
• Environmental problems and climate change
• Value theory
• Risk ethics
• Acting under non-ideal conditions
• Assessment of options on the basis of multiple criteria

Lecture, text analysis, group discussions, possibly interviews with experts.

If, due to the requirements of the federal government or the TU Wien, it is not possible to hold the course and the examination or parts of the course in attendance, the format will be switched to online. When switching to the online format, the following methods and modes apply:

Method when switching to online format:
Zoom meetings

Exam mode when switching to online format:
no change by switching to online format

Assessment scheme for the online exam:
See “exam modalities”; no change by switching to online format

Required technical equipment for participation in the course and examination:
Device with internet access (notebook, PC, tablet, smartphone)

Certificate of achievement:
See “exam modalities”; no change by switching to online format

written examination