E-book launch ‘Philosophical Tools for Climate Change’

Master students of the Philosophy beyond Academia course have been working on an e-book this year entitled 'Philosophical Tools for Climate Change' . In it, they apply a number of different philosophical tools and methods to issues related to climate change. The launch of the e-book took place on 2 April at the Faculty of Philosophy.

Researcher and philosophy lecturer Marc Pauly explains how philosophical tools and methods were applied to the approach to climate change when creating this book. A philosophical tool is a particular philosophical concept or distinction, a philosophical method is a more general way of thinking about a problem that gives us new insights.

Apart from the introduction, the book consists of chapters written by students of the Master of Philosophy programme. Each chapter starts with the description of the tool and method used, followed by its application. Finally, philosophical exercises are presented that allow the reader to delve deeper into the subject.

Bad Faith

Manoesch Wouwenaar wrote the chapter 'Sartre's Bad Faith'. She approaches the problem of climate change through the existentialism of French philosopher and writer Jean-Paul Sartre. ‘The concept of Bad Faith, where people deny their own freedom and responsibility, hiding behind a role, can contribute to self-deception and avoidance of making difficult choices. In the field of climate adaptation, you see that some move to action, while others ignore the problem."

Team University Library

The book has been published via an Open Textbook platform by our own open access publisher University of Groningen Press (UGP). It is a so-called Open Educational Resource (OER). Academic Information Specialist at the UB Mira Buist-Zhuk says: "What Marc Pauly and his students are doing here is an example of open pedagogy, the students have thus become co-makers of knowledge. It motivates students to step out of the academic ivory tower and expose their work more."

Marc Pauly hands over a hard copy of the book to Prof. Lorenzo Squintani, director of the Wubbo Ockels School for Energy and Climate. "This is a great example of an interdisciplinary approach to an important social problem. The fact that the e-book is openly accessible will hopefully help raise awareness among a wider audience," Squintani said.

Moving an online slide, one of the students opens the e-book to the public.