Abstract
Humans are recognized as a “geological force”, capable of modifying natural environments, and in virtue of this prerogative they have an ethical responsibility towards the planet. Indeed, studying and managing the Earth system, exploiting its geo-resources, intervening in natural processes are actions that involve great responsibilities towards society and the environment, of which perhaps we, as geoscientists, are not sufficiently aware. Only by increasing the awareness of this responsibility, can we work with wisdom and foresight, and respect the balances that exist in nature while guaranteeing a sustainable development for future generations. In order to define acceptable solutions to current global challenges, we need to take into proper consideration the ethical and social aspects involved in geoscience issues. Geoethics was born to define a conceptual substratum of categories, useful as framework of reference for geoscientists, to help them develop a new way of thinking and interacting with the Earth system. Geoethics widens the cultural horizon of geoscience knowledge and contributes to orient scientists and society in the choices for responsible behavior towards the planet. The paper provides an overview of the emerging field of geoethics, focusing on theoretical and practical aspects, by showing the trajectory that has led to the current point of development of geoethics and suggesting some cues for thought for further advancements of ethical thinking in geosciences.
Highlights
Since geosciences have ethical and social implications (Bobrowsky et al, 2017; Stewart and Gill, 2017; Wyss and Peppoloni, 2014), geoethics should become a key requirement in every geoscientists’ curricula (Bobrowsky et al, 2017)
Starting from the concept of ethics proposed by Aristotle (384-322 BC), and putting together the concept of responsibility related to the four levels of analysis and etymological remarks, geoethics has been defined as the “research and reflection on the values which underpin appropriate behaviours and practices, wherever human activities interact with the Earth system
Geoethics recognizes that human beings are a geological force capable of acting on natural environments, and in virtue of this prerogative assigns to them an ethical responsibility towards the Earth system
Summary
Since geosciences have ethical and social implications (Bobrowsky et al, 2017; Stewart and Gill, 2017; Wyss and Peppoloni, 2014), geoethics should become a key requirement in every geoscientists’ curricula (Bobrowsky et al, 2017) To achieve this goal, geoethics needs above of all to obtain dignity and credibility within the scientific community. The field of geoethics is still in the early stages of development, and its status as a new discipline has to be fully characterized, assessed and clarified, as well as its relationship with “environmental ethics” (Hourdequin, 2015) To start this process, in recent years a conceptual substratum has been developed following progressive steps, helpful to provide a clearer framework of categories and contents within geoethics: a formal definition, as well as four levels of content including analyses, topics, goals, values.
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