Project details

Examples in Practical Philosophy

In practical philosophy, almost no text or discussion is complete without reference to one or more examples, which are often woven into the argumentation in a seemingly casual manner.

From Aristotle's shoemaker to Rawls' Malibu surfers, historical and contemporary positions in practical philosophy can also be understood on the basis of their examples. They deal with core philosophical problems and often reveal implicit assumptions or consequences of a theory.

While examples are increasingly being examined and reflected upon in epistemological and aesthetic contexts, this is rarely the case in practical philosophy. There is a noticeable discrepancy between the central role of examples in debates in practical philosophy and the lack of discussion of their function and effect. Even in theories of philosophy and ethics education, there is currently no comprehensive reflection on examples as a working tool, although learning by example is required in principle. While thought experiments are receiving more attention as a methodological tool in practical philosophy, this is much less the case with examples – even though they are used far more frequently.

The project therefore examines the role and function of examples in practical philosophy in more detail. The following questions are central:

• What functions do examples fulfill in practical philosophy?
• How do examples influence the reception and evaluation of arguments and theories in practical philosophy?
• How can examples be criticized and evaluated?
• What implications does the reflection on examples have for the methodology of practical philosophy?

The project aims, first, to contribute to methodological reflection in practical philosophy. Second, the results should be useful for subject didactics.

As part of a conference organized by the project, key examples from practical philosophy will be presented, interpreted, criticized, and examined in terms of their historical influence.

The contributions will be published in 2026 in an anthology that will serve as a reference work for researchers and students who wish to explore the theoretical and practical implications of using examples.