Interdisciplinary Value Research

Research Context

Values are a major topic with high individual and social relevance. Theologically and socio-scientifically, values are of great importance: They provide information about the socio-cultural situation of societies and are considered to be "conceptions of the desirable" (C. Kluckhohn) as well as ethical guidelines for individuals and groups. This research area is concerned with the theoretical discourse on values and also analyses developments in specific value fields such as work and career, family and partnership, politics, religion and migration. The insights gained from this research are conveyed to various stakeholders (church, politics, civil society organisations, educational institutions, etc.) as options for action. A special focus is laid on the cooperation with other faculties, which is realised in the Network "Interdisciplinary Values Research" at the University of Vienna.

Aims

  • Further development of the theoretical discourse on values from the perspective of different scientific disciplines and in interdisciplinary cooperation
  • Social science analysis of value systems and their change in Austria and analyses of selected international focal points
  • Contributions of value research and value education as a challenge and task for practical theology and religious education
  • Impulses for the differentiation and objectification of value debates in society and in the public domain

Projects

Team

Christian Friesl (lead), Regina Polak, Patrick Rohs, Andrea Lehner-Hartmann

Activities

  • Book presentation "Wie wir leben wollen. Visionen für eine bessere Welt" in October and November 2025, further information to follow
  • Panel "Werte – Gesellschaft – Politik" (Britta Breser, Sylvia Kritzinger, Stefan Wallner; Moderation: Christian Friesl, Patrick Rohs) as part of the symposium "Herkunft – Zukunft – Jetzt. 250 Jahre Pastoraltheologie in Wien" on 25./26.11.2024 in Vienna
    » Link to the recording of the panel discussion (in German)
  • Transdisciplinary Conference "Krise der Demokratie – Rolle der Religion. Zur Ambivalenz der Religiosität in der Demokratie" on 28.11.2023 in the Vienna City Hall (further details - in German)

Publications

  • POLAK Regina / ROHS Patrick (Hg.): Values – Politics – Religion: The European Values Study In-depth Analysis – Interdisciplinary Perspectives – Future Prospects, Springer Verlag (2023). Open Access. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-31364-6
  • POLAK Regina: Transzendenzmangel in den Werthaltungen der Österreicherinnen und Österreicher als Herausforderung für die Zeit nach der Covid-19-Pandemie, in: Wolfgang Kröll / Johann Platzer / Hans-Walter Ruckenbauer / Walter Schaupp: Die Corona-Pandemie. Ethische, gesellschaftliche und theologische Reflexionen einer Krise, Baden-Baden (2020) 237 – 255. Reihe: Bioethik in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft, Band 10. Nomos Verlag
  • POLAK Regina: Werte und Politik, in: Sigrid Müller et al. (Hg.): Werte im Beruf. Ethik und Praxis im Gespräch. Aschendorff Verlag.www.aschendorff-buchverlag.de/detailview