Science and Precaution

Mark Jablonowski

Chapter 6 in Precautionary Risk Management, 2006, pp 87-104 from Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract: Abstract For a variety of reasons, none of them valid, precaution is viewed as “anti-science”, or somehow “backward” in its approach. It is claimed that a precautionary approach ignores science, or at least places unreasonable restrictions on it. Criticisms such as these impede regulation of risk based on precautionary principles, and inhibit voluntary acceptance of precaution. Precaution, however, does not interfere with objective science. In fact, precaution enhances the value of science to a productive and progressive world. What precaution does is make science more accountable when it comes to activities that may expose us to catastrophe. After all, when it comes to catastrophic potentials, even science must be held to a higher standard.

Keywords: Decision Theory; Precautionary Principle; Epistemic Uncertainty; Precautionary Approach; Alternative Assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:palchp:978-0-230-62765-9_6

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DOI: 10.1057/9780230627659_6

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