The precautionary principle: Scientific uncertainty and type I and type II errors [Book Review]

Foundations of Science 2 (2):207-236 (1997)
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Abstract

We provide examples of the extent and nature of environmental and human health problems and show why in the United States prevailing scientific and legal burden of proof requirements usually cannot be met because of the pervasiveness of scientific uncertainty. We also provide examples of how may assumptions, judgments, evaluations, and inferences in scientific methods are value-laden and that when this is not recognized results of studies will appear to be more factual and value-neutral than warranted. Further, we show that there is a "tension" between the use of the 95 percent confidence rule as a normative basis to reduce speculation in scientific knowledge and other public policy and moral concerns embodied by the adoption of a precautionary principle. Finally, although there is no precise agreement regarding what a precautionary principle might entail, we make several recommendations regarding the placement of the burden of proof and the standard of proof that ought to be required in environmental and human health matters.

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Author Profiles

Kristin Shrader-Frechette
University of Notre Dame
Carl Cranor
University of California, Riverside

Citations of this work

Risk.Sven Ove Hansson - 2008 - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
NAVIGATING THROUGH THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE(S).Pedro Bravo - 2023 - Kriterion: Journal of Philosophy 64 (155):329-348.

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