Research

With my background in natural sciences, I have a preference for analytical philosophy. My research interests include argumentation analysis, (methodology of) content analysis, applied ethics, formal epistemology and philosophy of science.

Current Affiliations

• Research project KIdeKu (Prospects of using AI to improve deliberative culture): How can we use large language models (LLMs) to improve deliberative culture in democratic societies? In the research project KIdeKu, we collaborate with NGOs to design novel scenarios for using LLMs and explore them by implementing prototypes and demo apps.
• Non-profit organization Logikon AI: With Logikon AI, we aim to empower consumers, citizens, students and teachers with open, human-centric, and explainable GenAI.

Past Affiliations

• Research project "Formal Models of Reflective Equilibrium - How Far Does Reflective Equilibrium Take Us?": In this project, we explored the method of RE by using a formal model, which we implemented in Python (external link). We simulated RE processes and analysed the model runs to assess expectations invested in, and objections raised against RE.
• Research project Leadership Ethics as Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities: In this project, we conceptualised learning and teaching formats of leadership ethics dedicated to Master's and doctoral students of technical disciplines (natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics). During the project, we implemented our ideas within several seminars and evaluated them to improve our teaching concept.
• Research project Buedeka (Citizen Delphi Germline Gene Editing): In this participatory project, we conducted a Delphi-based participation with citizens about the ethical aspects of germline gene editing. The resulting report of the citizens' assembly formulates recommendations for regulating germline gene editing aimed at policymakers.
• Shared Research Group Limits and Objectivity of Scientific Foreknowledge: The Case of Energy Outlooks: The research group has addressed the reliability of scientific policy advice from a general, methodological point of view, with a particular focus on energy predictions and scenarios.

Publications

• A. Freivogel & S. Cacean, "Assessing a Formal Model of Reflective Equilibrium", 2024. [https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13294165]
• S. Cacean, Reliability of Argument Mapping. Proceedings of ECA 2019 Groningen.
• S. Cacean, Forschungsbericht Bürgerdelphi Keimbahntherapie. Karlsruhe, 2019. [https://doi.org/10.5445/IR/1000096790]
• S. Cacean, "Die Begründung relevanter Möglichkeiten durch idealisierte Modelle", in Die Energiewende und ihre Modelle: Was uns Energieszenarien sagen können - und was nicht, C. Dieckhoff & A. Leuschner, Hrsg. Bielefeld: transcript, 2016, pp. 46–74.
• S. Cacean und C. Voigt, "Visualisierung und Analyse von Evidenzen mit Hilfe von Argumentkarten", TATuP, Vol. 22, Nr. 3, pp. 38–45, Nov. 2013. [https://doi.org/10.14512/tatup.22.3.38]
• S. Cacean, "Ethische Aspekte von Cognitive Enhancement", in Sport, Doping und Enhancement Ergebnisse und Denkanstöße, G. Spitzer & E. Franke, Hrsg. Köln: Sportverl. Strauß, 2012, pp. 151–220. [preprint]
• G. Betz & S. Cacean, Ethical Aspects of Climate Engineering. Karlsruhe: KIT Scientific Publishing, 2012. [https://doi.org/10.5445/KSP/1000028245]
• G. Betz, S. Cacean et al., "Large-Scale Intentional Interventions into the Climate System? Assessing the Climate Engineering Debate. Scoping report conducted on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)", Kiel Earth Institute, Kiel, 2011. [external link]