Nikitina produced in 2016 a monograph containing the first systematic exposition of main provisions of the new scientific field of ethics – geoethics, analyzing its status and considering its place in the system of contemporary scientific knowledge. Particular attention is paid to the development of moral foundations of relations in the system of “human being – inanimate nature”, arising from the scientific research of the Earth and its mineral resources, practical geological exploration, mining and utilization of mineral resources, as well as from the use of mineral resources while constructing and operating the underground facilities not related to mining.
For specialists of research institutes, university professors, employees of the administrative apparatus, legislative authorities, developers of a variety of programs, concepts and scenarios for the development and utilization of mineral resources, geologists and workers of the mining industry. During the last two decades the idea of Vladimir Vernadsky, that “we live in a time, when human effect on planet Earth can be compared to the effect of geological forces” became reality. Natural evolutionary processes have become secondary. Not only human actions have an impact on planet Earth and the processes happening to it, but the scale of human impact has become enormous. Gigantic growth in population, fast speed of scientific and technical progress as well as industrial development have led to massive consumption growth and even increase in deficit of natural and mineral resources. Nowadays society is very much dependent on materials and energy extracted
from mineral resources.
At the same time we have realized how unique planet Earth is, the planet itself and its geological shells, and essential features of its mineral resources – exhaustible, non-reprehensibility, scarcity and resource ownership by not only current but also future generations. In the context of globalization and cyclical economic downturns general philosophical understanding of human relationship with geological environment becomes increasingly important. It is essential to understand relationships between people in such areas as planetary research, exploration and use of planet Earth’s subsoils and minerals contained in them, mineral processing, protection of mineral resources, efficient and ethical use of profits from exploitation of mineral resources, protection of biodiversity and prevention of inorganic pollution of our planet.
The most important part of philosophical knowledge – ethics, as the teaching of morality and moral foundations of social relationships – should play the main role here. Such key concepts as freedom of choice, fairness and responsibility, obligation and consciousness, contribution, integrity and humanity shall be the basis for addressing geological situations, problems and dilemmas. Geoethical ideas and ideals are aimed at spiritual development of personality and are against self-destruction of civilization.
Progressing in our technological evolution we do not quite understand its limits. The real threat lies in continuous unjustified technological progress, for which more and more mineral resources are needed. Our planet will not be able to handle it. In order to avoid the catastrophe, we all need to change our attitude. Nowadays it is necessary to combine the efforts of the world geological and philosophical communities to research and form a system of moral norms of human behavior. It is important to define these norms for any social or professional activity, including those involving specialists engaged in research, exploration and exploitation of mineral resources. We need to provide realistic and efficient support to civil society and government of each country in creating ethical and transparent practice of subsoil management, improving the effectiveness of subsoil research, regeneration of mineral reserve base, and making sure the mineral resources are being used taking into account their exhaustibility, scarcity and resource ownership by current and future generations.
This document is the first attempt to summarize and conceptualize the knowledge that has been accumulated by still quite “young” discipline – geoethics.
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