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Bechmann, G.

In the Age of Risk.

Universität, Tampere, Finnland, February 4, 1997

Summary:

Risk has emerged as a secular term whose significance extends far beyond technical and economic analysis. In the article an improtant distinction is made between risks and dangers; people take risks upon themselves as result of a deliberate decision while dangers threaten from the outside and cannot be influenced. It is shown that, because of technological development, an increasing number of dangers are viewed as risks, creating an immense need for decision-making within society. At the same time, it is becoming apparent that risk perception and definition of risk are not objectively set dimensions and require negotiation and acceptance in society. What is perceived as a danger or a risk makes an issue of twofold uncertainty. On the one hand, whoever makes a decision always takes a risk. Action can create undesired consequences and failure to act can imply giving up possible advantages. On the other hand, decisions regarding risk always refer to something in the future, attempting to partly determine an uncertain future. However, the future is unknown as a matter of principle so that decisions regarding risk always have to be taken with insufficient knowledge. This twofold uncertainty is at the core of the debate on risk and makes even ethical considerations problematic.

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Gotthard Bechmann
Research Center Karlsruhe (FZK)
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