July 30, 2012

Publishing House “Geoinformmark" with financial support of JSC "MC "Petropavlovsk" published the world's first monograph of Nikitina N.K. "Geoethics: theory, principles, problems." http://www.geoinform.ru/?an=nsplit

Prior to the release of the monograph geoethics was defined only by means of the terminology and existed in the form of separate reports and theses. Any general works in this area were missing.

The monograph provided the systematic exposition of the major geoethics principles for the first time, analyzing its status, considering its place in the modern scientific knowledge. Special attention is paid to the development of moral foundations in relations of the system of "human being - inanimate nature" arising from scientific studies of the Earth and its minerals, practical geological works, extraction and use of natural resources.

Based on the analysis of the essential characteristics of mineral resources (irregularity of the deposits, limitedness, finiteness, belonging not only to the existing, but to future generations as well) the geoethical principles of their usage were designed. The concept of “Geoethical imperative” was firstly introduced as the key principle. The problem of the inanimate nature’s values was distinguished including the necessity to preserve the geological diversity. The preferred solutions were formulated. Besides, it was discovered that the key moral categories of geoethics include fairness and responsibility.

The possibility of using the existing ethical concepts of justice in the study and use of mineral resources and of incomes received out of their use within the state, between states and between generations was considered.

Special attention was paid to the responsibility for the preparation and management decisions making in the sphere of mineral resources at three levels - state, enterprise and specialists. Mechanisms for the implementation of social responsibility of the mining business for economic decisions concerning the subsoil and its socio-economic impact were developed.

No doubt that in the near future geoethics, developed geoethical principles and algorithms for solution of geoethical situations, issues and dilemmas will turn into the moral basis for subsoil use. Publication of the world's first monograph on geoethics in our country will be the international recognition of scientific achievements and priority of Russia in this sphere.