Ethics in GIScience

Abstract

As geographic information systems and GIScience develop and take on more diverse roles in science, government, business, and industry, issues with ethical dimensions broaden but retain the depth they have always held. The intellectual and cultural diversity of these fields leads to a growing importance of including ethical components in education and practice. However, from a pragmatic viewpoint, considering ethical aspects of scientific and technological work touches on commonalities and human values. Instead of a philosophical approach, this entry offers an applied ethics approach to essential questions starting with the question of what we should do with our skills, knowledge, and technology.