“Geoethics” is to become an integrative interdisciplinary endeavor as an upcoming field with strong links to existing approaches of application-oriented ethics, like ethics of technology, ethics of science, business ethics, environmental ethics, and political ethics. The approach of an “ethics in the sciences” is suggested to grapple with the challenge of interdisciplinary “mixed judgments” or “epistemic-moral hybrids” linking the necessary empirical as well as normative aspects. Three domains are the major building blocks for geoethics: (1) professional ethics of scientific and engineering experts; (2) ethical evaluation procedures of specific projects, mainly with regard to balancing the means and ends concerning risk-benefit considerations; and (3) general ethical considerations on the integrity of the earth and its geomorphological components. A matrix of relations and points to consider emerges, which may result in a method for practical deliberations and judgments in geoethics. Ultimately, this shall provide the link to sustainable development, contributing to environmental justice considering the geosciences and their objects.
