Universalization, integrity and individual emissions

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Kirsten Meyer
• Subject Area: Practical Philosophy
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564392145

This project examines reasons for the reduction of individual emissions that may arise from the universalization of emissions-intensive behavior. Do the various universalization strategies of classical moral philosophical positions, such as Kantianism or Contractualism, provide plausible reasons for the reduction of individual emissions? To what extent should moral judgment also take into account the non-ideal conditions under which individual actions often take place in our world? What fundamental implications does this have for the content of moral duties to protect the climate? Do approaches that focus more on the individual good life suggest further reasons for reducing emissions? Is universalizability also relevant for virtue ethical considerations in order to explain conflicts that undermine integrity?

• DFG Programme: Research Grants