Course Topics
What does it mean to think economically? Has this way of thinking changed throughout history and what challenges does it face today? The course explores these and similar questions, paying particular attention to the fundamental principles and norms that guide this way of thinking in its decisions. Modern technology has radically changed the conditions for production, labour, transport, communication and consumption, among other things, with the technically generated, distributed and used energy being of immense importance, as is increasingly artificial intelligence. Its effects are not only evident in economic phenomena such as competition and innovation, but also in areas such as the environment and, not least, climate change. What kind of economic thinking is appropriate and necessary here, and what should economic measures be orientated towards today? The course attempts to develop a philosophical answer to this question.

Teaching format
Open seminar. Students are expected to participate in class discussions.

Educational objectives
ILO 1 Knowledge and understanding ILO 1.1 Mastery of basic and intermediate mathematical tools for understanding and analysing economic mechanisms using theoretical models and empirical applications ILO 1.2 Knowledge of tools for statically, dynamically and comparatively analysing data on individuals, firms and the economy ILO 1.3 Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying effective communication of quantitative topics in three languages: Italian, German and English ILO 2 Ability to apply knowledge and understanding ILO 2.1 Be able to communicate the results of quantitative analyses conducted according to international professional standards in three languages: Italian, German and English ILO 3 Making judgements ILO 3.1 recognise the most important problems in complex decision-making situations ILO 3.2 critically analyse the facts and the situations to be dealt with ILO 4 Learning skills ILO 4.1 Obtain information to update the constantly changing general and specific context of reference

Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to promote the ability to recognise, analyse and critically assess the nature of economic issues as such. Particular attention is paid to economic terminology and language in general, i.e. to the question of which economically relevant phenomena are adequately taken into account and conveyed in a linguistically comprehensible manner. In addition, the aim is to understand the scope of economic thinking, to determine the role of the economy in the social context and to be able to assess and evaluate the effects of global digitalisation.

Assessment
For participating and non-participating students: Written examination with examination questions: one of two topics offered must be chosen and worked on. Examination language German ILOs assessed 1 to 4

Evaluation criteria
Criteria for the final exam: 1. understanding of the task. 2. well-structured elaboration of the most important points and aspects. 3. presentation (stringent structure, coherent train of thought, clear language).

Required readings

Copies of all relevant texts will be made available during the semester and are accessible in the "reserve collection"

.

Supplementary readings

G. W. F. Hegel, Wissenschaft der Logik, Erstes Buch, Die Zahl, Anm. 2.

H.-J. Flechtner, Grundbegriffe der Kybernetik, Munich 1970. pp. 1-122. 

L. Erdmann, Nachhaltigkeit und Vorsorge - Anforderungen der Digitalisierung an das politische System: https://www.bpb.de/apuz/27362/nachhaltigkeit-und-vorsorge-anforderungen-der-digitalisierung-an-das-politische-system?p=all