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Moral–Ethical Character and Science Education: EcoJustice Ethics Through Socioscientific Issues (SSI)

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Cultural Studies and Environmentalism

Part of the book series: Cultural Studies of Science Education ((CSSE,volume 3))

Abstract

Socioscientific issues (SSI) provide situations where science teachers and students analyze complex issues associated with ethical, political, and social dilemmas, such as whether animals should be kept in zoos or whether plants should be genetically modified. While engaging in socioscientific issues, students become informed about scientific conditions and develop epistemological styles for dealing with scientific research and the consequences thereof. During a time of increasing awareness around cultural diversity, biodiversity, and ecological degradations, epistemic development is paramount for helping students evaluate how they frame their relationships with others including nonhuman species and physical environments. In this regard, social justice movements have been too limited and exclusive, with a higher priority for humankind. Social justice, as currently conceptualized in the science education literature, is seldom extended to nonhuman animals, plants, and the land. Social justice is often associated with disparities between the haves and have-nots, which is historically contrived with middle-class values, norms, and conventions. It is inherently limited to what is considered right for humans without considering how decisions convened around social justice will impact nonhumans.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Georgia, Athens, USA

    Michael P. Mueller

  2. University of South Florida, Tempa, USA

    Dana L. Zeidler

Authors
  1. Michael P. Mueller
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  2. Dana L. Zeidler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Mathematics & Science Education, University of Georgia, Aderhold Hall 212, Athens, 30602-7124, USA

    Deborah J. Tippins

  2. Dept. Mathematics & Science Education, University of Georgia, Aderhold Hall 212, Athens, 30602-7124, USA

    Michael P. Mueller

  3. Eindhoven School of Education, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands

    Michiel van Eijck

  4. Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Bedford Avenue 2900, Brooklyn, 11210-2889, USA

    Jennifer D. Adams

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Mueller, M.P., Zeidler, D.L. (2010). Moral–Ethical Character and Science Education: EcoJustice Ethics Through Socioscientific Issues (SSI). In: Tippins, D., Mueller, M., van Eijck, M., Adams, J. (eds) Cultural Studies and Environmentalism. Cultural Studies of Science Education, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3929-3_8

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