Law and Ethics of Innovation: Rethinking Progress in Crises

Grant DOI 10.55776/TAI4242025
https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/research-radar/10.55776/TAI4242025

The so-called “innovation principle” is increasingly invoked in EU law and industry circles, yet it lacks a clear definition or explicit mention in (EU) law. This raises important questions about its legal basis and philosophical foundations. The project Law and Ethics of Innovation: Rethinking Progress in Crises seeks to address these questions by combining legal analysis with philosophical inquiry. We examine the philosophical and legal roots of the “innovation principle”, explore its ethical dimensions, and investigate its relationship with the precautionary principle. The project further analyzes the legal basis of the “innovation principle” within EU law and its relation to fundamental rights. Ultimately, we aim to clarify the potential and limitations of the innovation principle for legal systems and society at large.

The following researchers are contributing to the project:

Department of Public Law and Political Science, University of Graz

• Univ.-Prof. Dr. Maria Philomena Bertel
• Dr. Tina Rametsteiner, E.MA 
• Felix Maderthaner

Department of Philosophy, University of Innsbruck

• Univ.-Prof. Dr. Marie-Luisa Frick  
• Dr. Elias Moser  
• Kilian Wach

Milestones:

Achieved

• March 2026: Kick-Off-Meeting in Graz
• March 2026: Internal database on the literature of the innovation principle established

Upcoming

• December 2026: Co-written report on the philosophical roots and legal basis of the “innovation principle” to be published on the project’s homepage 
• January 2027: Academic workshop assessing the potential and limits of the “innovation principle”
• June 2027: Co-authored article – publication of synthesized project findings
• June 2027 Public event – Discussion of the project’s findings with representatives of the public