Abstract
Geoscience research may upset people even though it is ethically acceptable. In this paper we attempt to explore three questions about such research. It will turn out that (1) under most circumstances ethical but upsetting geoscience research is morally permissible, (2) revising this research in response to upset-induced external interference is morally impermissible in the absence of strong countervailing pragmatic reasons and attempts to reduce upset, and (3) potentially upsetting geoscience research ought to be communicated truthfully and tailored to each individual situation. These general propositions are applied to a case of ethical but upsetting research that we ourselves are currently involved.
Highlights
Examples of ethical but upsetting geoscience research include hydrocarbon explorations near populated areas (e.g., Vidic et al, 2013), seismological studies that indicate the possibility of major earthquakes (e.g., Moernaut et al, 2018) and interviews with the colleagues of mine workers who died during mining activities or strikes (e.g. Alexander et al, 2013)
In this paper we attempt to explore the following three questions: (1) Under what conditions, if any, is it ethically permissible to conduct ethical but upsetting geoscience research? (2) Under what conditions, if any, is it ethically permissible to revise one’s research in response to interference by people outside the research who are upset by it? (3) How ought one to communicate ethical but upsetting research? We begin by explaining a case of ethical but upsetting geoscience research that led us to think about these questions
Let us suppose that an instance of ethical but upsetting geoscience research is permissible according to the above criteria
Summary
In some instances, this is because it violates ethical norms. We begin by explaining a case of ethical but upsetting geoscience research that led us to think about these questions. Referring to this case, each of the questions is explored in turn. We will specify several factors that in our view are important to the assessment of the particular case with which we are concerned These considerations can hopefully serve as a useful starting point for assessing and dealing with other cases of ethical but upsetting geoscience research as well
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