Thoughts on Geoethical Considerations in Geoscience—Society Interactions
Abstract
How well society utilizes information from geoscience as it confronts critical issues of water supply, mineral resources, energy, natural hazards and global change is dependent in part on ethical considerations. Authentic communication between geoscience and society requires genuine mutual respect and an openness to listening and honestly considering the ideas of people who might view the world differently. Judgmentalism and bias (implicit or explicit) are barriers to communication, as is an inability to act as if you accept the autonomous right of others to form and hold their own opinions. Humility and a strong personal commitment to respect the fundamental human rights of others are essential to overcoming these barriers.
For example, the difference in understanding and perception between a person who has (only) studied issues of industrial pollution at a great university versus another person without advanced education who has struggled to live in one of the disadvantaged communities along "Cancer Alley""— a petrochemical corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans—is real and perhaps profound. Both can learn from each other if they can surmount barriers to communication. Both can work with each other toward common goals. Indeed, the input of both is absolutely essential for the solution of this sort of complex environmental-industrial-health-societal problem. Non-geoscientists want and need reliable information from geoscientists, communicated effectively with full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, to promote understanding and provide options for future consideration. Geoscientists want society to consider the information (and warnings) we provide seriously, and act responsibly based on that information for the benefit of us all. Both groups are populated by human beings who expect and deserve to be treated with respect as people of equal human dignity. Gaining a shared clarity about the geoethical dimensions of the interaction of geoscience and society is challenging given the wide range of interests, motivations, knowledge and skills among geoscientists. Continued development of geoethics and geoethical education is necessary if we are to prepare well the next generation of geoscientists for useful service in a changing world.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMPA32D..20C
- Keywords:
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- 4327 Resilience;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 4328 Risk;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 4345 Community management;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 6339 System design;
- POLICY SCIENCES & PUBLIC ISSUES