Konrad Ott, born in Bergkamen in 1959, operates within the academic tradition of discourse and environmental ethics. He represents the third generation of the Frankfurt School, having completed his doctoral studies under the supervision of Jürgen Habermas at the Goethe University Frankfurt in 1989. His work centers on the intersection of individual human knowledge and scientific methodology.
Academic Formation
Between 1982 and 1986, Ott pursued undergraduate studies at Goethe University Frankfurt, focusing on philosophy, history, and German philology. His 1989 doctoral thesis, titled "Menschenkenntnis als Wissenschaft. Über die Entstehung und Logik der Historie als der Wissenschaft vom Individuellen," established his academic trajectory. He has maintained professional roles across several German institutions, including the University of Tübingen, the University of Greifswald, where he served as a professor of environmental ethics from 1997 to 2012, and currently at Kiel University.
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Ott specializes in the theoretical foundations of sustainability. His bibliography includes "Theorie und Praxis starker Nachhaltigkeit" (2004) and English-language contributions such as "The Case for Strong Sustainability" and "Building a 'theory of sustainable development': two salient conceptions within the German discourse." From 2000 to 2008, he served as a member of the German Advisory Council on the Environment. His broader output includes works on information ethics and narrative-hermeneutic approaches to nature ethics, notably collaborating with Christof Hardmeier in 2015.
Political Commentary
Beyond his work in academic ethics, Ott has engaged in public discourse regarding migration. In 2016, he published "Zuwanderung und Moral." In 2018, he commented on Mediterranean migration routes, suggesting that these paths required deterrence. He stated that the route must be obstructed and noted that the actions of Italy's Home Office Secretary Matteo Salvini should be recognized for rendering the migration path less attractive.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, Bergkamen, Germany
- Doctoral Advisor: Jürgen Habermas
- Primary Fields: Environmental Ethics, Discourse Ethics
- Current Position: Professor at Kiel University
- Notable Publication: Zuwanderung und Moral (2016)
- Languages: German, English
Questions readers ask
What is Konrad Ott's academic specialization?
He specializes in discourse ethics, environmental ethics, and the theory of strong sustainability.
Where did Ott hold his early professorship?
He served as a professor for environmental ethics at the University of Greifswald from 1997 to 2012.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Tübingen, Kiel University and University of Greifswald
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