The Role of Philosophy for Sustainability Research

Abstract

In this chapter, I discuss the role of philosophy for the analysis of sustainability issues. I argue that philosophy should play a crucial role in sustainability research. Philosophy can provide the abilities of critical reflection necessary to design and conduct this type of research and can play an important role in the training and education of sustainability researchers. Philosophy can contribute to interdisciplinary integration of sciences and ethics by analyses of the self-identity, concepts, methods, basic assumption, evaluations, and implicit normative aspects of particular sciences, the discussion of their relationships, and their integration. Philosophy can assist transdisciplinary integration by developing an understanding of the specifics of scientific perspectives, approaches, and knowledge on the one hand, and other forms of experience, recognition, and knowledge on the other. However, this also means a challenge for philosophy itself. Philosophers need to carefully reflect on the specifics of current issues and potentially modify traditional philosophical concepts and approaches, or even develop new concepts and approaches. Philosophy should actively involve itself in the task of developing a self-reflective inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research and develop the appropriate philosophical tools for this project.