Norms and normativity

The norms we accept shape our behavior as well as society as a whole and are therefore the object of extensive research.

This research school focuses specifically on the philosophical study of norms, which in Sweden is mainly pursued within the subject named “practical philosophy”; i.e., the philosophical discipline devoted to human agency. The purpose of the school is threefold.1. Critical mass of doctoral students.

Swedish research in practical philosophy is internationally renowned but shrinking funds for hiring new doctoral students is a serious threat to the field’s future development.

The school will enable us to retain a critical mass of doctoral students and to secure that their learning environment is not impoverished.2. An ecumenical perspective. Norms are studied by several fields within practical philosophy. These fields employ different methods of analysis.

The school will ensure that the students are well versed in all these methods and encourage explorations of innovative ways of combining them, to shed new light on the research questions.3. Disciplinary openness.

The students will be exposed to recent findings in other disciplines in the humanities and the social sciences that engage in norms research.

This will not only benefit their dissertation work, but also prepare them for future interdisciplinary collaborations, for example regarding what roles norms can play in attempts to handle climate change and other large-scale societal challenges.