The Precautionary Principle and Its Critics
The Precautionary Principle and Its Critics
This chapter outlines various arguments for and against the precautionary principle. It specifically explains the nature and proper use of the precautionary principle. This chapter suggests that some of the criticisms can be dismissed because they are based on misunderstanding or otherwise misdirected information. Some other worries can be classified as legitimate but directed at misuses of the principle rather than the principle itself. It also shows that the criticisms based on self-contradiction, demanding the unknowable, forgone benefits, or stifled innovation are serious worries only for those versions of the principle with severe directives for action or broad or vague triggering conditions.
Keywords: precautionary principle, criticisms, self-contradiction, forgone benefits, stifled innovation, unknowable
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