Abstract: Ethical misconduct in science communication has occurred time and again, and the construction of responsible and ethical high-quality science communication requires not only a deep understanding of the connotation of ethics in science communication but also the further exploration of operable practice modes in complex science communication situations. This study first analyzes the connection between the ethics of science communication and the ethics of science and technology, communication ethics and social ethics with the help of case studies, and then elaborates on the principle of equality, the principle of availability, the principle of timing and other intrinsic ethics embodied in the characteristics of science communication itself on the basis of previous studies, thus constructing a multi-dimensional connotation of ethics of science communication. To further enhance the guidance of ethical practice in complex science communication situations, this study is based on the method of “integration and trade-off”, and incorporates the core concepts of utilitarianism “maximization of overall interests” and deontology “bottom-line ethics”, and extracts an ethical model of science communication practice, which provides an ethical analytical “tool” for the practice of science communication in China.

Key Words: Ethics; Science communication; Popularization of science; Deontology; Utilitarianism

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