Sondersammlungen

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Animal welfare in non-anthropocentric cost-benefit analysis and social welfare functions: a critical review to guide practical application
(2025) Dusel, Sara; Wieck, Christine
Cost-benefit analysis and social welfare functions are two closely related methods to evaluate policy impacts. In this critical review, we present the state of knowledge on how to include the animals’ (non-anthropocentric) perspective in these policy evaluations. For this, we synthesize material from the scientific and grey literature and develop a checklist that guides through the process of non-anthropocentric cost-benefit analysis and social welfare functions. Step-by-step, the checklist gives an overview of the alternative options and normative assumptions in the literature and points to remaining research gaps.
Does a smarter ChatGPT become more utilitarian?
(2026) Pfeffer, Jürgen; Krügel, Sebastian; Uhl, Matthias; Pfeffer, Jürgen; Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Munich, Germany; Krügel, Sebastian; Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Uhl, Matthias; Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
Hundreds of millions of users interact with large language models (LLMs) regularly to get advice on all aspects of life. The increase in LLMs’ logical capabilities might be accompanied by unintended side effects with ethical implications. Focusing on recent model developments of ChatGPT, we can show clear evidence for a systematic shift in ethical stances that accompanied a leap in the models’ logical capabilities. Specifically, as ChatGPT’s capacity grows, it tends to give decisively more utilitarian answers to the two most famous dilemmas in ethics. Given the documented impact that LLMs have on users, we call for a research focus on the prevalence and dominance of ethical theories in LLMs as well as their potential shift over time. Moreover, our findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and transparent public reporting of LLMs’ moral reasoning to ensure their informed and responsible use.
From QAnon to the climate change hoax: using 'Moral Politics Theory' to explain conspiracy mentality among the ideological right
(2026) Elkmann, Janek; Schrimpf, Tobias
Research on conspiracy theories and predictors that explain susceptibility to believing in conspiracy theories (conspiracy mentality) has already led to a considerable body of academic contributions. Nevertheless, we see the necessity to continue working on higher-level frameworks that summarize and explain various of these predictors under one umbrella. Only focussing on individual correlates can certainly make well-founded statements about individual susceptibility to conspiracy theories, but cannot formulate a holistic explanation due to the supposed lack of connection between the predictors. This means that, for example, only very fragmentary recommendations can be derived for preventive concepts. The present research proposes a metatheoretical framework for conspiracy mentality based on 'Moral Politics Theory' (Lakoff, 2016). The central thesis of this paper is that conspiracy mentality can be understood as an inherent component of so-called 'Strict Father Morality', i.e. the conservative ideology in Moral Politics Theory. This not only has implications for research theory, but also concrete imperatives for action for socio-political actors.

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Browsing Sondersammlungen by Sustainable Development Goals "16"