Ethics, chemistry, and education for sustainability

Abstract

Why do scientists avoid considerations about ethics and categorically deny precautionary principles? Is it because they do not adequately understand the emotional needs and fears of the general public? The authors argue that a central challenge in chemical education is conveying the philosophy of empathy; without it, the exclusively intellectual training of chemists results in heartless individuals who forget human needs and dreams. In addition, concrete examples are given from a course in applied ethics for chemistry students and a scholarship program in the Congo. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.