In defence of the precautionary principle

John Weckert

doi:10.1109/ISTAS.2010.5514653

In defence of the precautionary principle

John Weckert

Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paper › Conference paper › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The precautionary principle is widely advocated, especially in Europe, but also much attacked. In this paper the principle will first be outlined and then some of the common criticisms discussed. One in particular will be examined in some depth; the criticism is that it is inherently paradoxical. The paradox supposedly arises because if the principle is applied to some action that is potentially harmful, it should also be applied to that application of it which is also potentially harmful, because it stops an action that is beneficial. Here it will be argued that the precautionary principle is not paradoxical and that it is important and useful.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	ISTAS 2010
Subtitle of host publication	Social implications of emerging technologies
Editors	IEEE Staff
Place of Publication	Piscataway
Publisher	IEEE
Pages	42-47
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	9781424477777
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/ISTAS.2010.5514653
Publication status	Published - 2010
Event	International Symposium on Technology and Society - Wollongong, NSW, Australia Duration: 07 Jun 2010 → 09 Jun 2010

Conference

Conference	International Symposium on Technology and Society
Country/Territory	Australia
Period	07/06/10 → 09/06/10

Access to Document

10.1109/ISTAS.2010.5514653

Cite this

@inproceedings{77143dd3077c45bcbd3fa75c6764f9be,

title = "In defence of the precautionary principle",

abstract = "The precautionary principle is widely advocated, especially in Europe, but also much attacked. In this paper the principle will first be outlined and then some of the common criticisms discussed. One in particular will be examined in some depth; the criticism is that it is inherently paradoxical. The paradox supposedly arises because if the principle is applied to some action that is potentially harmful, it should also be applied to that application of it which is also potentially harmful, because it stops an action that is beneficial. Here it will be argued that the precautionary principle is not paradoxical and that it is important and useful.",

keywords = "Precautionary principle",

author = "John Weckert",

note = "Imported on 03 May 2017 - DigiTool details were: publisher = Piscataway: IEEE, 2010. editor/s (773b) = IEEE Staff; Event dates (773o) = 7-9 June 2010; Parent title (773t) = International Symposium on Technology and Society.; International Symposium on Technology and Society ; Conference date: 07-06-2010 Through 09-06-2010",

year = "2010",

doi = "10.1109/ISTAS.2010.5514653",

language = "English",

pages = "42--47",

editor = "IEEE Staff",

booktitle = "ISTAS 2010",

publisher = "IEEE",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - In defence of the precautionary principle

AU - Weckert, John

N1 - Imported on 03 May 2017 - DigiTool details were: publisher = Piscataway: IEEE, 2010. editor/s (773b) = IEEE Staff; Event dates (773o) = 7-9 June 2010; Parent title (773t) = International Symposium on Technology and Society.

PY - 2010

Y1 - 2010

N2 - The precautionary principle is widely advocated, especially in Europe, but also much attacked. In this paper the principle will first be outlined and then some of the common criticisms discussed. One in particular will be examined in some depth; the criticism is that it is inherently paradoxical. The paradox supposedly arises because if the principle is applied to some action that is potentially harmful, it should also be applied to that application of it which is also potentially harmful, because it stops an action that is beneficial. Here it will be argued that the precautionary principle is not paradoxical and that it is important and useful.

AB - The precautionary principle is widely advocated, especially in Europe, but also much attacked. In this paper the principle will first be outlined and then some of the common criticisms discussed. One in particular will be examined in some depth; the criticism is that it is inherently paradoxical. The paradox supposedly arises because if the principle is applied to some action that is potentially harmful, it should also be applied to that application of it which is also potentially harmful, because it stops an action that is beneficial. Here it will be argued that the precautionary principle is not paradoxical and that it is important and useful.

KW - Precautionary principle

U2 - 10.1109/ISTAS.2010.5514653

DO - 10.1109/ISTAS.2010.5514653

M3 - Conference paper

SP - 42

EP - 47

BT - ISTAS 2010

A2 - Staff, IEEE

PB - IEEE

CY - Piscataway

T2 - International Symposium on Technology and Society

Y2 - 7 June 2010 through 9 June 2010

ER -

In defence of the precautionary principle

Abstract

Conference

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this