ESDiT Reseach Lines
Research in the Esdit programme is structured along four research lines. The first three lines focus on core domains that are impacted by socially disruptive technologies (SDTs), namely human beings, nature, and society. For each of these, we study how they are affected by the new generation of SDTs and how key philosophical and ethical concepts that relate to them are being challenged. The fourth line brings together the results of the other three. The goal is to develop an integrated assessment of SDTs and the moral frameworks needed to guide their development..
Nature, Life & Human Intervention
We aim to go beyond traditional discussions about the normative status of nature, e.g., whether there is something intrinsically good or desirable in nature and something objectionable in changing nature.
The Human Condition
We investigate how and to what extent socially disruptive technologies have implications with regard to humans, humanity and the human condition, focusing on new biomedical and digital technologies.
The Future of a Fair & Free Society
We try to map how the changes in social relations, social structures, social institutions, and democratic practices, brought about by SDTs affect the basic concepts of social and political philosophy.
Foundations & Synthesis
This research line aims to develop more synthesizing perspectives on the entire topic of the research programme. We work on frameworks that are able to provide normative responses to the challenge of SDTs.