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Practicing chemists face a number of ethical considerations, from issues of attribution of authorship through the potential environmental impact of a new process to the decision to work on chemicals that could be weaponised. By keeping ethical considerations in mind when working, chemists can build their own credibility, contribute to public trust in the chemical sciences and do science that benefits the world.
Divided into three parts, methodological aspects, research ethics, and social and environmental implications, Good Chemistry introduces tools and concepts to help chemists recognise the ethical and social dimensions of their own work and act appropriately.
Written to support chemistry students in their studies this book includes practice questions and examples of relevant situations to help students engage with the subject and prepare for their professional life in academia, industry, or public service.
List of contents
Introduction; Science Theory; The Scientific Method(s); Scientific Reasoning; The Virtues of Science; Scientific Misconduct; Scientific Publishing; Chemistry as a Network Activity; Animal Experiments; Science and Values; Sustainability; Responsibility; Risk, Uncertainty, and Precaution; Science Governance, Technology Assessment; Science Communication; Summary
About the author
Jan Mehlich studied chemistry at the University of Münster, Germany. He received a Ph.D. for work on surface patterning by microcontact printing in 2011. Additionally, he gained a master degree in Applied Ethics from the same university in 2012. Jan Mehlich worked as an Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) researcher on nanoparticles for medical applications at the Europäische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-technischer Entwicklungen GmbH, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany, before taking a postdoctoral position at National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, in 2015. After an adjunct lecturer position teaching science and technology ethics at the Department of Philosophy of Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan, he is now affiliated as a full-time faculty (assistant professor) at the International School of Technology and Management, Fengchia University, Taichung, Taiwan, doing research in the field of technology assessment and technology ethics. He is also member of the Working Party 'Ethics in Chemistry' of the European Chemical Society (EuChemS).
Summary
This textbook provides an accessible resource to help chemists recognise the ethical and social dimensions of their own work and act appropriately.
