The fact that empirical research can also provide important findings for ethical analysis and argumentation has meanwhile been recognized in wide circles of human medical ethics and veterinary ethics. But this does not at all clarify how a so-called “empirical ethics” or “empirically-informed ethics” should proceed in a scientifically sound way. While, of course, some of the challenges involved are already related to how to plan, conduct, and publish a sound empirical study, other challenges have to do precisely with the connection between empirical research and ethics in the sense of normative-ethical analysis and argumentation.

After all, the relevance of certain descriptive information derived from social science or natural science research is not always obvious when it is to be incorporated into an ethical analysis. What exactly is the function that empirical findings are supposed to serve for ethics in this context? On the other hand, there is a well-known logical challenge in connecting descriptive statements and normative conclusions, since we cannot automatically infer from a mere observation what should (morally) be done (“is-ought fallacy”). How, therefore, can empirical findings be linked to normative content (e.g. values, norms or principles) so that the resulting (ethical) argumentation becomes convincing and purposeful?

In this workshop, we do not want to focus on the methodology of social science or natural science. Rather, we want to ask:

1. What difference does it make for our empirical research – our methods and writing – if it does not mainly contribute to social or natural science goals and discourses, but is supposed to be meaningful for ethics?
2. What different types or functions of empirical research in veterinary ethics can be distinguished, and do they differ from (already established) types or functions in medical ethics?
3. Are all types or functions equally useful, and for what purposes and goals exactly?
4. And how exactly can we combine ethical theories or norms with empirical research in a sound way?

In order to explore these questions, some theoretical issues need to be addressed (e.g., typologies of empirical research in ethics, “bridge principles” for combining empirical and normative statements). However, the workshop also has a clear focus on examples from practice (e.g., actual empirical studies or experiences when doing empirical research in the context of ethics). Together, we will explore what to look for in empirical ethical research in veterinary ethics and how to address certain challenges in integrating ethics and empirical research.

Max. Number of Participants:

20