Silvia Peppoloni1,2

2INGVItalian Institute

of Geophysics and Volcanology

1IAPGInternational Associationfor Promoting Geoethics

FOUNDATIONS OF GEOETHICS

GEO

ETH

ICS

Abbé Antonio Stoppani(1824-1891)

1873ANTHROPOZOIC ERAhypothesis and definition by Antonio StoppaniEra dominated by human activities

THE ORIGINS OF “GEOETHICAL” THINKING

2002ANTHROPOCENEDefinition by Paul Crutzen geological epoch denoted andcharacterized by human activity

1949LAND ETHICS

“Conservation is a state of harmony between men and

land"

Aldo Leopold(1887-1948)

Paul Crutzen(19\34-2012)

OR

IGIN

S

THE BIRTH OF GEOETHICS

environmental sustainability defense against natural hazards prudent use of natural resources reduction of pollution and its repercussions

on human health and climate change

technological and industrial development growth of population urban expansion

expanding use of land increasing demand for natural

resources

THE EARTH: A COMPLEX SYSTEM

to be managedwith common sense, wisdom and

foresight

WH

Y G

EO

ETH

ICS

WA

S B

OR

N

GEOETHICS

Geoscientists can promote a culture sensitive to the

environment, a correct information on natural risks,

a more constructive relationship among

scientific community, mass media, civil society and

policy-makers.

GEO

SC

IEN

TIS

TS

Geoscientists can persuade

people that geo-resources and

geo-environment constitute a

common heritage,

to be considered as a cultural,

educational and scientific value,

as well as a social capital.

THE ROLE PLAYED BY GEOSCIENTISTS

WH

AT IS

G

EO

ETH

ICS

WHAT IS GEOETHICS?

Philosophy

Sociology

Geology

ethical, social and cultural implicationsof geological research and practice

“investigation and reflection on the practical behavior of human beings”

procedures and practices

existing political and economic realities

different social and cultural contexts

universal shared values

GEO

ETH

ICS

GEOETHICS“investigation and reflection on human behavior and practice towards the Geosphere ”

ETHICS

GEOETHICS THEMES (1)

Geoethics provides references and guidelines to find

socio-economic solutions compatible with the respect for

the environment and the protection of Nature and land.

Geoethics deals with problems related to the georisks

management and the use of geo-resources.

TH

EM

ES

Geoethics promotes the social

role played by Geoscientists and

highlights their responsibilities in

making choices that have

repercussions on society.

GEOETHICS THEMES (2)

TH

EM

ES

Geoethics fosters the proper and correct dissemination of the scientific results.

Geoethics aims to organize effective teaching tools to develop awareness, values and responsibility, especially amongst the young people.

Geoethics promotes the development of geoparks and geo-tourism, in order to create social awareness about the value of the geological heritage and geodiversity.

Geoethics highlights the usefulness of the geological knowledge in daily life by promoting disciplines like geo-medicine and forensic geosciences.

to give a cultural, ethical, and social frame of reference for conducting geological research and practice in favor of public welfare;

to give value to geosciences in a cultural sense as part of a group of disciplines capable of suggesting new ways to understand and investigate our planet.

GEOETHICS OBJECTIVES

THEORETICAL

La Conchita, coastal area of southern California

PRACTICAL

to provide solutions, compatible with the respect of right balances existing in Nature

TOOLS: procedures, protocols, guidelines, codes of conduct, methods, strategies,

web resources….

OB

JEC

TIV

ES

Attention towards Geoethicsis still limited.

Only a few geoscientists are involved in Geoethics or make explicit reference to Geoethics.

Outside of scientific community, among the general public, no one knows of Geoethics.

Ah-shi-sle-pah badlands, New Mexico

ISSUES WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOETHICS

DEV

ELO

PM

EN

T O

F G

EO

ETH

ICS

WHY?

subject of study, method, goal C

RIT

ICA

L

PO

INTS

Does Geoethics meet these requisites?

• a theoretical base• a methodology for experimentation• the capability to analyze success or

failure• an outcome transferable to students

through the process of teaching.

Could Geoethics be defined a science?

CRITICAL POINTS

few research projects and scarce funds

Is Geoethics accompanied by an adequate research base and a satisfactory number of scientific publications?

SCIENCE

PR

OC

ESS

OF

REN

EW

AL

Resp

on

sib

ilit

y

Geolo

gic

al

cu

ltu

re

Eth

ical

cri

teri

on

GEOETHICS

3 PILLARSFOR GEOETHICS

CULTURAL AND SCIENTIFIC RENEWAL What should be our points of

reference in this process of renewal?

RES

PO

NS

IBIL

ITY

RESPONSIBILITY: THE FIRST PILLAR what does the responsibility of a geologists

consist of ?

“geo” , gh gaia (greek) = Earth

ga (sumerian) = home, dwelling place

… a trace in the word “geoethics”

“ethics”

ἔqo (greek) = social habit, custom

ἦqo (greek) = individual, personal

esdu (akkadian) = social foundation, social discipline

ettu (akkadian) = distinctive character of each individual

RES

PO

NS

IBIL

ITY

investigation and reflection on the behavior of humans towards the geosphere

analysis of the relationships between geoscientists who act and their own actions

Geoethics

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

SOCIAL SPHEREINDIVIDUAL

SPHERE

ETHICS

To be part ofTo belong to

oneself

Individual dimension Research and defense of

truth. Advancement of

knowledge and life-long learning.

Ethical obligations arise from the possession of a specific knowledge that has practical consequences for the public.

Research activity and geological practice of Geoscientists should be at the service of the common good.

Great Blue Hole, Belize

THE ETHICAL COMMITMENT OF GEOSCIENTISTS

RES

PO

NS

IBIL

ITY

Social dimension

what does the responsibility of geoscientists consist of ? what motivations are needed to push geoscientists to practice the Earth sciences in an ethical way?

Are the Geoscientists well-equipped to undertake this responsibility?

Which measures should be undertaken to enable them to serve the society and promote an ethical approach to the geosphere?

What they have to do for helping a cultural renewal of society?

?

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

The geological discoveries of the past were primarilygreat cultural achievements and have contributedto the construction of the modern world

James Hutton (1726-1797)

Alfred Wegener (1880-1930)

Deep Time Theory Theory of EvolutionContinental Drift Theory

GEO

LO

GIC

AL

CU

LTU

RE

GEOLOGICAL CULTURE: THE SECOND PILLAR

SCIENCE IS CULTURE

Jules Henri Poincaré,mathematician, physicist, phylosopher (1854-

1912) methods goals values history ways of thinking about

Nature specific sensitivity

GEOLOGY IS A SCIENCE

GEOLOGY IS CULTURE

GEO

LO

GY

AS

S

CIE

NC

E

We will not get valid geoethical solutions if

we don’t consider geology

as a part of our culture

ETHICAL CRITERION FOR GEOSCIENTISTS:

THE THIRD PILLAR

What is the ethical criterion that must guide us?

individual sphere:the source of any social

action

ETH

ICA

L C

RIT

ER

ION

Proper land/environment use and management

Respect of truth and science

ETH

ICA

L

CR

ITER

ION

INTELLECTUAL HONESTY AND RESEARCH INTEGRITY

How can geoscientists be best assisted in their acquisition of a clear awareness of their ethical responsibility?

Promotion of awareness of every citizen’s responsibility

Commitment to advancing knowledge and life-long learning

A HIPPOCRATIC-LIKE OATH FOR GEOSCIENTISTS

Moral obligations arise from the possession of

specific knowledgethat has practical

consequences

Hippokrates of Kos (460 BC - 370 BC)

Ellis, E.C., and P.K. Haff (2009) Earth Science in the Anthropocene: New Epoch, New Paradigm, New Responsibilities.Eos Trans. AGU, 9 (49), 473.

OATH

Inspired by Antoniou et al. (2010): Reflection of the Hippocratic Oath in modern medicine. World J. Surg., 34.

Parallelism between ethical responsibilities of physicians and geoscientists

Inspired by Antoniou et al. (2010): Reflection of the Hippocratic Oath in modern medicine. World J. Surg., 34.

OATH

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AN ETHICAL OBLIGATION

the awareness of their social role, expertise and contribution;

the strengthening of their sense of belonging to a professional community;

the awareness of the expectations of society; the cultural growth at the individual and community

levels; the exploitation of research;

The explicit acceptance of the ethical responsibilityby geoscientists can foster:

the implementation of scientific and professional skills;

the commitment for the cultural lifelong increase as an ethical duty. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Australia

OATH

I PROMISE

TH

E

PR

OM

ISE

THE GEOLOGIST PROMISE

I promise I will practice geosciences being fully aware of the involved social implications and I will do my best for the protection of the geosphere for the benefit of mankind.

I know my responsibilities towards society, future generations, and the environment for a sustainable development.

In my job I will put the interest of society at large in the first place.

I will never misuse my geological knowledge, not even under constraint.

I will always be ready to provide my professional expertise in case of urgent need.

I will continue to improve my geological knowledge lifelong and I will always maintain my intellectual honesty at work, being aware of the limits of my capabilities and possibilities.

I will act to foster progress in geosciences, the dissemination of geological knowledge and the spreading of a geoethical approach to the management of land and geological resources.

I will honor my promise that my work as a geoscientist or certified geologist, will be fully respectful of Earth processes.

A PRELIMINARY BASIC PROPOSAL

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE “OATH” FORMULA:• simple and basic• strictly voluntary• at the end of the university studies

BEFORE ITS APPLICATION:wide discussion and acceptance by national and international communities of geoscientists and professionals

INTERNATIONALSCIENTIFIC

MULTIDISCIPLINARY

PLATFORMwith the goal of widening the debate

on problems of Ethics applied to the Geosciences

http://www.iapg.geoethics.org

IAP

G

SPECIAL VOLUMES with peer review process

IAPG PUBLICATIONS: SPECIAL VOLUMES

GEOETHICS: ETHICAL CHALLENGES AND CASE STUDIES IN EARTH SCIENCEedited by Silvia Peppoloni and Max Wyss

GEOETHICS:THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF

GEOSCIENTISTSedited by Giuseppe Di Capua and Silvia

Peppoloni

GEOETHICS AND GEOLOGICAL CULTURE.REFLECTIONS FROM THE GEOITALIA CONFERENCE 2011edited by Giuseppe Di Capua and Silvia Peppoloni

EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL ETHICS ANDPUBLIC RECOGNITION OF ENGINEERING

GEOLOGY editors: Giorgio Lollino, Massimo Arattano,

Marco Giardino, Ricardo Oliveira, Silvia Peppoloni

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

GEO

ETH

ICS

giuseppe.dicapua@ingv.it

silvia.peppoloni@ingv.it

Sandra Piacente, Italian Committee of Geoethics

“The task of science is not only to develop cognitive proposals and provide useful techniques, but also to present general contents regarding the way of intending nature, man and society. In fact, every science has in itself, and so it must convey, a specific image of the world, showing the manner in which it can be understood and investigated”

2INGVItalian Institute

of Geophysics and Volcanology

1IAPGInternational Associationfor Promoting Geoethics

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http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Stoppanihttp://www.nsrwa.org/Page.45.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_J._Crutzenhttp://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/earthsystems/parent_page.htmlhttp://www.geologi.info/il-geologo-di-zona_eventi_x_1489.htmlhttp://www.compositum-zeolite.it/geomedical/http://www.filosofico.nethttp://www.appa.provincia.tn.it/appa/pubblicazioni/-categoria7/pagina80.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Conchita,_Californiahttp://hdw.eweb4.com/search/new+mexico/http://www.lasescapadas.com/fondos/fondo/antelope-canyon-arizona.phphttp://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blue_Holehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Huttonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portraits_of_Charles_Darwinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Wegenerhttp://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Poincaréhttp://www.paid2write.orghttp://www.riflessioni.it/filosofia-della-medicina/neuroscienze-mente-umana-01.htmhttp://www.travelnt.com/en/uluru-and-surrounds/places-to-go/kata-tjuta-the-olgas.aspxhttp://www.geolsoc.org.uk/http://www.springer.com/?SGWID=6-102-0-0-0http://www.collegeonlinedegree.com/