Systemic Ethics: Social, Economic and Environmental Implications of Eating Our Yellow Cake in South Australia

摘要

An exploration of the ethical implications of mining uranium in South Australia by weighing up the impact on future generations in social, economic and environmental terms. In South Australia, we have 'a knot of problems' in the sense used by Bateson that can be described in a case study that illustrates the complexities for planners and policy makers. The paper suggests that one of the greatest challenges for policy makers is to match the right kind of knowledge to an issue. This requires 'phronesis' or a process of matching based on dialogue (see Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics translated by Irwin). A score card needs to be developed to support ethical, sustainable governance. It is based on the assumption that we can create our own futures. This behooves us to develop sustainable approaches with future generations in mind.