1IAPG
International Association
for Promoting Geoethics
2INGV
Italian Institute
of Geophysics and Volcanology
GEOETHICS
Silvia Peppoloni1,2
1873
ANTHROPOZOIC ERA
hypothesis and definition by Antonio Stoppani
Era dominated by human activities
Abbé Antonio Stoppani
(1824-1891)
1949
LAND ETHICS
“Conservation is a state of
harmony between men and land"
Paul Crutzen
(19\34-2012)
Aldo Leopold
(1887-1948)
ORIGINS
2002
ANTHROPOCENE
Definition by Paul Crutzen
geological epoch denoted and
characterized by human activity
 expanding use of land
 increasing demand for natural resources




environmental sustainability
defense against natural hazards
prudent use of natural resources
reduction of pollution and its repercussions
on human health and climate change
to be managed
with common sense, wisdom and foresight
WHY GEOETHICS WAS BORN
 technological and industrial development
 growth of population
 urban expansion
 Geoscientists can promote a culture sensitive to the environment,
a correct information on natural risks,
a more constructive relationship among
 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.
GEOSCIENTISTS
scientific community, mass media, civil society and policy-makers.
Philosophy
Sociology
Geology
WHAT IS GEOETHICS
ethical, social and cultural implications
of geological research and practice
“investigation and reflection
on the practical behavior of human beings”
“investigation and reflection on human behavior
and practice towards the Geosphere ”
procedures and practices
different social and
cultural contexts
existing political and
economic realities
GEOETHICS
universal shared values
 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.
 Geoethics promotes the social role
their responsibilities in making choices
that have repercussions on society.
THEMES
played by Geoscientists and highlights
 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 highlights the usefulness of the geological knowledge in
daily life by promoting disciplines like geo-medicine and forensic
geosciences.
THEMES
 Geoethics promotes the development of geoparks and geo-tourism,
in order to create social awareness about the value of the geological
heritage and geodiversity.
 to provide solutions, compatible with the
respect of right balances existing in Nature
THEORETICAL
 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.
La Conchita, coastal area
of southern California
OBJECTIVES
TOOLS: procedures, protocols, guidelines, codes of
conduct, methods, strategies, web resources….
 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
WHY?
DEVELOPMENT OF GEOETHICS
 Attention towards Geoethics
is still limited.
 Could Geoethics be defined a science?
subject of study, method, goal
a theoretical base
a methodology for experimentation
the capability to analyze success or failure
an outcome transferable to students through
the process of teaching.
 Does Geoethics meet these requisites?
 Is Geoethics accompanied by an adequate research base and
a satisfactory number of scientific publications?
few research projects and scarce funds
CRITICAL POINTS
•
•
•
•
Ethical criterion
Geological culture
Responsibility
GEOETHICS
PROCESS OF RENEWAL
 What should be our points of reference
in this process of renewal?
 what does the responsibility of a geologists consist of ?
gh, gaia (greek) = Earth
ga (sumerian) = home, dwelling place
“ethics”
ἔqo (greek) = social habit, custom
ἦqo (greek) = individual, personal
esdu (akkadian) = social foundation, social discipline
ettu (akkadian) = distinctive character of each individual
RESPONSIBILITY
“geo”
SOCIAL SPHERE
To belong to oneself
Geoethics
investigation and reflection on the
behavior of humans towards the
geosphere
analysis of the relationships between
geoscientists who act and their own actions
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
RESPONSIBILITY
To be part of
INDIVIDUAL SPHERE
 what does the responsibility of geoscientists consist of ?
 what motivations are needed to push geoscientists to
practice the Earth sciences in an ethical way?
 Research and defense of truth.
 Advancement of knowledge
and life-long learning.
Social dimension
Great Blue Hole, Belize
 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.
RESPONSIBILITY
Individual dimension
?
James Hutton
(1726-1797)
Deep Time Theory
Charles Darwin
(1809-1882)
Alfred Wegener
(1880-1930)
Theory of Evolution Continental Drift Theory
GEOLOGICAL CULTURE
The geological discoveries of the past were primarily
great cultural achievements and have contributed
to the construction of the modern world
GEOLOGY IS A SCIENCE
GEOLOGY IS CULTURE
 methods
 goals
 values
 history
 ways of thinking about Nature
 specific sensitivity
Jules Henri Poincaré,
mathematician, physicist, phylosopher (1854-1912)
We will not get valid
geoethical solutions if we
don’t consider geology
as a part of our culture
GEOLOGY AS SCIENCE
SCIENCE IS CULTURE
 What is the ethical criterion that must guide us?
ETHICAL CRITERION
individual sphere:
the source of any social action
 Proper land/environment use and management
 Promotion of awareness of every citizen’s responsibility
 Commitment to advancing knowledge and life-long learning
How can geoscientists be best assisted
in their acquisition of a clear awareness
of their ethical responsibility?
ETHICAL CRITERION
 Respect of truth and science
Moral obligations arise from the
possession of specific knowledge
that has practical consequences
OATH
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.
Hippokrates of Kos
(460 BC - 370 BC)
Inspired by Antoniou et al. (2010): Reflection
of the Hippocratic Oath in modern medicine.
World J. Surg., 34.
OATH
Inspired by Antoniou et al. (2010):
Reflection of the Hippocratic Oath in
modern medicine. World J. Surg., 34.
The explicit acceptance of the ethical responsibility
by geoscientists can foster:
 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 implementation of scientific
and professional skills;
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Australia
OATH
 the commitment for the cultural
lifelong increase as an ethical duty.
THE 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.
BEFORE ITS APPLICATION:
wide discussion and acceptance by national and international
communities of geoscientists and professionals
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE “OATH” FORMULA:
• simple and basic
• strictly voluntary
• at the end of the university studies
I A P G
with the goal of widening the debate
on problems of Ethics applied to the Geosciences
with peer review process
GEOETHICS AND GEOLOGICAL CULTURE.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE GEOITALIA CONFERENCE 2011
edited by Giuseppe Di Capua and Silvia Peppoloni
GEOETHICS:
THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF GEOSCIENTISTS
edited by Giuseppe Di Capua and Silvia Peppoloni
GEOETHICS: ETHICAL CHALLENGES AND CASE STUDIES
IN EARTH SCIENCE
edited by Silvia Peppoloni and Max Wyss
EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND
PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
editors: Giorgio Lollino, Massimo Arattano, Marco
Giardino, Ricardo Oliveira, Silvia Peppoloni
“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”
Sandra Piacente, Italian Committee of Geoethics
1IAPG
International Association
for Promoting Geoethics
2INGV
Italian Institute
of Geophysics and Volcanology
GEOETHICS
giuseppe.dicapua@ingv.it
silvia.peppoloni@ingv.it
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Stoppani
http://www.nsrwa.org/Page.45.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_J._Crutzen
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http://www.lasescapadas.com/fondos/fondo/antelope-canyon-arizona.php
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blue_Hole
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hutton
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portraits_of_Charles_Darwin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Wegener
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Poincaré
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