Research Areas
Research Fields
Research at the Institute of Philosophy is analytic in orientation and ranges from epistemology and philosophy of science to political philosophy and philosophy education. The following areas give an overview. More detailed information can be found on the pages of the individual professorships.
Epistemology and Philosophy of Language
One focus lies in social epistemology: epistemic authority and expertise, testimonial knowledge, and the relationship between experts and laypeople. Further work addresses epistemic values and norms, non-ideal epistemology and epistemic injustice, as well as scepticism and knowledge ascriptions. Closely connected are questions in philosophy of language and metaphysics, particularly social ontology.
Political and Social Philosophy
In practical philosophy, research addresses theories of social and global justice, the critique of power and domination, and feminist philosophy. Further questions concern ideal and non-ideal theory, moral responsibility, and constructivism in ethics and metaethics. This is complemented by work on action theory, autonomy, and situated cognition.
Philosophy of Science
Research in philosophy of science examines the role of guiding principles in physics, theories of causation, and the role played by values in the sciences. A further focus lies on the relationship between science and society, as well as on questions in the philosophy of medicine.
Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and Technology
Work in this area examines how AI systems are changing the epistemic division of labour, under what conditions they can be trusted, and what challenges their opacity presents. The use of AI in medicine is a particular field of application.
Philosophy Education and Ethics
Research in philosophy education combines subject didactics with empirical educational research. Topics include ethical universalism and cultural pluralism, the ethical orientation of adolescents, philosophising with children, human rights discourse, and questions of normative integration and de-radicalisation.
History of Philosophy
Historical work focuses on Kant, on Hegel and classical German philosophy, on Wittgenstein and the development of analytic philosophy, and on Critical Theory. This includes critical engagement with racism and colonialism in the philosophical canon.