Thesis supervisor: Antal Örkény
Location of studies (in Hungarian): ELTE Doctoral School of Sociology Abbreviation of location of studies: SZDI
Description of the research topic:
The proposed theme explores possible approaches to various current social dilemmas in terms of social justice. In everyday social coexistence, we are constantly confronted with situations and problems that are far from clear-cut and divide people. In a free society, individuals want above all to decide for themselves what choices they want to make about their lives and which of the possible alternatives they will choose. These choices are determined by instinctive beliefs, emotions, biases and conscious considerations or even cognitive biases. They are determined by the characteristics of our personality, but also by our personal interests, our life circumstances, our knowledge, resources and thinking that are essential to our choices. And of course, the necessities and rules of living with others. Our social existence takes place in a context of coexistence with others, we are dependent at every moment on the existence and behavior of others, we need others, and our interaction with others plays a decisive role in our choices. In our decisions we always take into account the behavior of others, our own interests and those of others, and the mutual benefits or conflicts of interest based on cooperation. The institutions and rules of behavior that underpin social coexistence, which are the basis of the social order, provide the framework for all this.
Identities of interest and conflicts of interest are one of the most exciting dimensions of our decision-making. Identities of interest are best expressed in the fact that we can rely on the help and support of others to achieve our goals, rather than relying solely on ourselves. And taking account of conflicts of interest is important in order to assess the distribution of advantages and disadvantages and to consider when it is most advantageous to achieve our own goals. And the common rules of social coexistence serve as a compass for this reflection. These norms may be based on tradition, legal, political, religious rules, group membership interests or moral considerations.
Morality is based on the distinction between right and wrong, between social good and evil, and expresses some kind of valuation. When confronted with social dilemmas, the individual must decide what he or she considers right or wrong, what he or she considers good or bad for him or herself and for society. From this point of view, the term social dilemma can be understood in two senses: on the one hand, a situation in which one has to make a difficult choice between two different things that one can do or that one considers to be the right thing to do, and on the other hand, a situation in which one has to choose between the way in which one's individual interests and the common good are balanced.
The question of moral principles and social justice is worth exploring in a number of topical issues. I have collected some of these:
• Covid 19, crown virus, compulsory vaccinations and the covid test, elective surgery
• migration and the refugee question, xenophobia
• guaranteed minimum benefit
• gender, LGBTQ, homophobia, gay adoption rights
• family policy, childcare, child support, child protection, family policy
• artificial insemination, abortion
• inheritance issues
• make the rich pay, elite and success, distributive justice, tax rebate
• social media, internet
• Data protection, data management: the limits of privacy and transparency.
Required language skills: English Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2022-04-30
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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