2. Abbé Antonio Stoppani
(1824-1891)
1873
ANTHROPOZOIC ERA
hypothesis and definition by Antonio Stoppani
Era dominated by human activities
2002
ANTHROPOCENE
Definition by Paul Crutzen
geological epoch denoted and
characterized by human activity
1949
LAND ETHICS
“Conservation is a state of
harmony between men and land"
Aldo Leopold
(1887-1948)
Paul Crutzen
(1934-2012)
ORIGINS
3. 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
to be managed
with common sense, wisdom and foresight
WHYGEOETHICSWASBORN
4. 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.
GEOSCIENTISTS
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.
6. “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
GEOETHICS
“investigation and reflection on human behavior
and practice towards the Geosphere ”
7. 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.
THEMES
Geoethics promotes the social role
played by Geoscientists and highlights
their responsibilities in making choices
that have repercussions on society.
8. THEMES
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.
9. 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.
THEORETICAL
La Conchita, coastal area
of southern California
to provide solutions, compatible with the
respect of right balances existing in Nature
TOOLS: procedures, protocols, guidelines, codes of
conduct, methods, strategies, web resources….
OBJECTIVES
10. Attention towards Geoethics
is 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
DEVELOPMENTOFGEOETHICS
WHY?
11. subject of study, method, goal
CRITICALPOINTS
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?
few research projects and scarce funds
Is Geoethics accompanied by an adequate research base and
a satisfactory number of scientific publications?
13. RESPONSIBILITY
what does the responsibility of a geologists consist of ?
“geo” 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
14. RESPONSIBILITY
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 SPHERE INDIVIDUAL SPHERE
To be part of To belong to oneself
15. 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
RESPONSIBILITY
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?
17. Charles Darwin
(1809-1882)
The geological discoveries of the past were primarily
great cultural achievements and have contributed
to the construction of the modern world
James Hutton
(1726-1797)
Alfred Wegener
(1880-1930)
Deep Time Theory Theory of Evolution Continental Drift Theory
GEOLOGICALCULTURE
18. 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
GEOLOGYASSCIENCE
We will not get valid
geoethical solutions if we
don’t consider geology
as a part of our culture
19. What is the ethical criterion that must guide us?
individual sphere:
the source of any social action
ETHICALCRITERION
20. Proper land/environment use and management
Respect of truth and science
ETHICALCRITERION
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
21. Moral obligations arise from the
possession of specific knowledge
that 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
22. Inspired by Antoniou et al. (2010):
Reflection of the Hippocratic Oath in
modern medicine. World J. Surg., 34.
Inspired by Antoniou et al. (2010): Reflection
of the Hippocratic Oath in modern medicine.
World J. Surg., 34.
OATH
23. 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 responsibility
by 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
24. THEPROMISE
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.
25. 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
26. with the goal of widening the debate
on problems of Ethics applied to the Geosciences
IAPG
27. with peer review process
GEOETHICS: ETHICAL CHALLENGES AND CASE STUDIES
IN EARTH SCIENCE
edited by Silvia Peppoloni and Max Wyss
GEOETHICS:
THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF GEOSCIENTISTS
edited by Giuseppe Di Capua and Silvia Peppoloni
GEOETHICS AND GEOLOGICAL CULTURE.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE GEOITALIA CONFERENCE 2011
edited by Giuseppe Di Capua and Silvia Peppoloni
EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND
PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
editors: Giorgio Lollino, Massimo Arattano, Marco
Giardino, Ricardo Oliveira, Silvia Peppoloni
28. GEOETHICS
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”
2INGV
Italian Institute
of Geophysics and Volcanology
1IAPG
International Association
for Promoting Geoethics
