Knowing and acting: The precautionary and proactionary principles in relation to policy making

Description:

Article discussing the relationship between knowledge (in the form of scientific risk assessment) and action (in the form of technological innovation) as they come together in policy, which itself is both a kind of knowledge and acting.
Creator(s):
Creation Date: 2013  
Partner(s):
UNT College of Arts and Sciences
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Collection(s):
UNT Scholarly Works
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Total Uses: 136
Past 30 days: 7
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Creator (Author):
Holbrook, J. Britt

University of North Texas

Knowing and acting: The precautionary and proactionary principles in relation to policy making
Creator (Author):
Briggle, Adam

University of North Texas
Date(s):
  • Creation: 2013
Description:

Article discussing the relationship between knowledge (in the form of scientific risk assessment) and action (in the form of technological innovation) as they come together in policy, which itself is both a kind of knowledge and acting.
Degree:
Note:

Abstract: This essay explores the relationship between knowledge (in the form of scientific risk assessment) and action (in the form of technological innovation) as they come together in policy, which itself is both a kind of knowing and acting. It first illustrates the dilemma of timely action in the face of uncertain unintended consequences. It then introduces the precautionary and proactionary principles as different alignments of knowledge and action within the policymaking process. The essay next considers a cynical and a hopeful reading of the role of these principles in public policy debates. We argue that the two principles, despite initial appearances, are not all that different when it comes to formulating public policy. We also suggest that principles in general can be used either to guide our actions, or to determine them for us. We argue that allowing principles to predetermine our actions undermines the sense of autonomy necessary for true action.
Physical Description:

23 p.
Language(s):
Subject(s):
Keyword(s): precautionary principles | proactionary principles | policy | decision procedure
Source: Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective, 2013
Partner:
UNT College of Arts and Sciences
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Collection:
UNT Scholarly Works
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Identifier:
  • ARK: ark:/67531/metadc157308
Resource Type: Article
Format: Text
Rights:
Access: Public
Citation:
Publication Title: Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective
Volume: 2
Issue: 5
Page Start: 15
Page End: 37
Peer Reviewed: Yes