Draft version 1.2 beta — Revised March 12, 2026

A Geoethics Primer for Geoscientists

Part 7. Glossary

This glossary is largely a list of links to authoritative text and video resources, with gaps covered by explicit definitions provided from credited sources. The videos from the Ethics Unwrapped resources created by University of Texas–Austin McCombs Business School and The Ethics Centre in Sydney, Australia, are particularly fine resources for your ethics education. I strongly encourage you to explore their video libraries for a fun, informative, and often challenging way to learn about practical ethics.

agent, agency, moral agent

Agency article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Moral Agent from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

AI ethics

Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • AI Ethics from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

altruism

Altruism article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Altruism from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

applied ethics

The Principle of Beneficence in Applied Ethics article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Applied Ethics from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

appropriation and attribution

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Appropriation and Attribution from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Artificial Intelligence from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — algorithmic bias

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Algorithmic Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — cognitive bias

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Cognitive Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — confirmation bias

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Confirmation Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — conformity bias

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Conformity Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — implicit bias or unconscious bias

Implicit Bias article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Implicit Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — in-group/out-group bias

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • In-Group Out-Group Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — overconfidence bias

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Overconfidence Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — self-serving bias

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Self-Serving Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bias — unconscious bias or implicit bias

Implicit Bias article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • What is Unconscious Bias? from The Ethics Centre via YouTube
 • Implicit Bias from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bounded ethicality

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Bounded Ethicality from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

bullying

 "Bullying means using power or perceived vulnerability to harm, intimidate, coerce, and/or sabotage an individual's professional or academic work or efforts. Bullying may occur in person, in writing, or via any form of electronic communication."

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

cognitive dissonance

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Cognitive Dissonance from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

common good

The Common Good article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Also refer to the book from Robert B. Reich, The Common Good (2018, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 189 p., ISBN 978-0-525-52049-8)

conflict of interest

A conflict of interest as "a real or seeming incompatibility between two interests that one possesses or is obligated to serve, especially when one of those interests might benefit the person to whom both are entrusted" (Black's Law Dictionary, 12th edition, p. 911). The "Ethics Unwrapped" resource (see video linked below) offers that "A conflict of interest arises when what is in a person's best interest is not in the best interest of another person or organization to which that individual owes loyalty."

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Conflict of Interest from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

consequentialism

Consequentialism article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Consequentialism from The Ethics Centre via YouTube

corporate social responsibility

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Corporate Social Responsibility from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

corruption

Corruption article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Corruption from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

deontology (duty ethics)

Deontological Ethics article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Deontology from The Ethics Centre via YouTube
 • Deontology (duty ethics) from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

dignity

Dignity article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

discrimination

 "Discrimination means treating individuals differently because of protected characteristics, resulting in unfair treatment and the denial of opportunities in educational, employment, funding, and/or other professional activities."

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

egoism

Egoism article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

ethical fading

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Ethical Fading from Ethics Defined , UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

ethics

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • What is Ethics? from The Ethics Centre via YouTube
 • Ethics, Morality, & the Law from The Ethics Centre via YouTube
 • Ethics from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

fabrication

 "Fabrication refers to "making up data or results and recording or reporting them"

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

falsification

 "Falsification refers to "manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record."

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

fiduciary duty

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Fiduciary Duty from Ethics Defined UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

harassment

 "Harassment is a type of discrimination characterized by unwanted, demeaning, disrespectful behavior toward individuals based on protected characteristics. Harassing behavior ranges from verbal comments, such as epithets and slurs, to visual displays to physical conduct, such as threatening or blocking someone's way."

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

hedonism

Hedonism article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Hedonism from Ethics Defined UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

incompetence, professional incompetence

Incompetence has two different meanings. The common legal definition involves "a lack of physical or intellectual ability, or to be deemed unqualified to do something or take responsibility. Such inability is usually caused by a mental illness or disability." [Black's Law Dictionary, 12th ed., p. 911]

The definition that is more appropriate to the practice of geoscience is sometimes called professional incompetence. A geoscientist would be considered incompetent regarding a specific task if they lack the knowledge, skill, and personal judgment necessary to perform that task to the expected standard of care. If they work on that task even though they are not competent and harm or damage results, their work could be considered fraudulent.

Definitions adapted from [1] Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, and [2] Black's Law Dictionary, 12th ed., p. 911.

integrity

Integrity article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Integrity from Ethics Defined UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

justice

Justice article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Justice from Ethics Defined UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

moral or morals

The Definition of Morality article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Ethics, Morality, & the Law from The Ethics Centre via YouTube
 • Morals from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

moral agent or moral agency

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Moral Agent from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

moral reasoning and systematic moral analysis

Moral Reasoning article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Moral Reasoning from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes
 • Systematic Moral Analysis from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

negligence

Negligence is the failure to behave with the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised under the same circumstances. Either a person's actions or, if the person had a duty to act, omissions of actions can be found negligent. From Roman law, the idea is that the negligent person has displayed culpable carelessness. "Culpable" means blameworthy, liable, guilty of a breach of duty.

A geoscientist who performs a given task is presumed to have the knowledge, skill, and personal judgement to complete that task to the generally expected standard of quality and care. It is the duty of a competent person to complete the task carefully and well. If they fail in that duty because of carelessness, and that breach of duty causes harm, they are negligent.

Definition adapted from [1] Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, and [2] Black's Law Dictionary, 12th ed., p. 1241-1243.

obedience to authority

Legal Obligation and Authority article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Obedience to Authority from Ethics Defined UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

plagiarism

 Plagiarism involves "appropriating another person‚Äôs ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit" according to the U.S. federal regulations (45 CFR 93.103). GSA interprets this definition broadly to forbid plagiarism in verbal or written communications.

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

protected characteristics

 The term "protected characteristics refers to factors that are not relevant and must not be considered in making decisions about an individual's competence or qualifications. This includes race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, creed, religion, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy, education, class, political affiliation, and parental status."

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

research misconduct

 Research misconduct is "behavior defined in accordance with the U.S. federal regulations (45 CFR 93.103)," which includes: fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism." Fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism are defined separately in this online glossary.

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

respect

Respect article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

retaliation

 "Retaliation means punishing someone for engaging in a legally protected activity. Generally this involves taking adverse action against individuals because they have complained about a legal or policy violation instead of using legitimate, unbiased criteria to make the decision."

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

scientific objectivity

Scientific Objectivity article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Scientiific objectivity is a goal that might not be perfectly attainable; however, our sense is that scientific results obtained with a minimal taint of bias are more reliable. Bias skews results toward what we expect or hope they will be. Scientists work toward achieving objectivity by eliminating or minimizing bias, identifying its possible effects, mitigating its effects, and fully disclosing potential sources of bias.

sexual harassment

 "Sexual harassment means unwelcome or unsolicited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, conversations about sexual activities, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature."

Definition from the Geological Society of America's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Appendix A: Glossary

social contract

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Social Contract Theory from Ethics Defined UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

sustainability

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Sustainability from Ethics Defined UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

trust

Trust article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

truth

Truth article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Einstein's definition of truth: "Truth is what stands the test of experience," from Einstein's Foreword to Relativity – A richer truth by Philipp Frank, 1951, London, Jonathan Cape, 124 p.

utilitarianism

(also see consequentialism )

Act and Rule Utilitarianism article from the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy .

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Utilitarianism from Ethics Defined UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

values

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Values from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

virtue ethics

Virtue Ethics from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

  Video resources (external to this website):
 • Virtue Ethics from The Ethics Centre via YouTube
 • Virtue Ethics from Ethics Defined, UT-Austin McCombs Business School; video in English (a) with English transcript and notes, or (b) with Spanish transcript and notes

Online Ethics Glossaries