Work

A meta-precautionary solution to the dilemma of precaution

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This article draws on the cross-disciplinary literature on risk, uncertainty and precaution to address a central dilemma put forward against precautionary principles. According to this dilemma, weak versions of precautionary principles, which hold that policymakers can justifiably adopt precautionary measures even when they lack certainty of impending harm, fail to justify adopting any precautionary measures. Conversely, strong versions of precautionary principles, which hold that policymakers must adopt precautionary measures whenever they face significant risks of harm, yield contradictory policy prescriptions. The article argues that the proffered defences of precautionary principles provide only a partial solution to this dilemma. The article then demonstrates that a meta-precautionary approach, which applies precautionary reasoning to the prescriptions of precautionary principles, can resolve the dilemma and successfully address further prominent objections put forward against precautionary principles.

Source: Synthese

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-026-05856-8

Author: Roberto Fumagalli

Institutions: King's College London, University of Pennsylvania, London School of Economics and Political Science

Language: English

Topic: Risk Perception and Management

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190

Funders: John Templeton Foundation, London School of Economics and Political Science, King's College London, Università degli Studi di Pavia