The division conducts research and education on philosophical issues that are relevant for a technological university. This includes the philosophy or risk and safety, ethics of technology, philosophy of science and technology, logic, and decision theory.

The division is also a focal point for interdisciplinary research on risk and safety. In addition to philosophers it contains scientists from the behavioural, natural, and technological sciences, specializing in areas such as regulatory toxicology and ecotoxicology, risk perception and communication, system safety and safety management.