DEBATE: WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS RISK – PRECAUTIONARY OR PROACTIONARY?

There are two basic attitudes towards risk: one sees it as a threat to be avoided and the other an opportunity to be embraced – ‘precautionary’ and ‘proactionary’. The precautionary principle is enshrined in European Union health and environmental legislation, typically as a brake on the introduction of scientific and technological innovation. In contrast, the proactionary principle argues that such a cautious attitude actually endangers the human condition by weakening our ability to use science and technology to our advantage.

Here is the audio of the event, including presentations and audience discussion (2 hours).

The philosopher and Green politician Dr Rupert Read of the University of East Anglia will be debating Prof Steve Fuller of Warwick’s Sociology Department on this topic.

No extensive knowledge of the issues are presupposed, and depending on the audience the event may be conducted in a seminar format.

To find out more about the issues surrounding the topic, see these pieces:

https://aeon.co/essays/left-and-right-are-over-the-future-is-up-and-down

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-future-of-ideological-conflict

TIME AND PLACE: FRIDAY, 4th MARCH, 5-7 PM, ROOM S0.13.

This event was sponsored by the Warwick Social Theory Centre.