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How to use the Precautionary Principle
When dealing with risks, we need to be aware of what we don't or can't know for sure.
How to use the Principle:
- Competing priorities should be combined with other decision-making principles. E.g. "Explore vs exploit" means focusing on existing options before trying alternatives.
- The decision to take precautionary action should be based on current science, and plans should be in place for how to update that decision if the science changes.
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MORE IDEAS ON THIS
Preventing risks and protecting resources
The Precautionary Principle prompts us to question our intuitions about the right decisions. The principle was first applied to regulations in Germany for preventing air pollution. It consists of two core components in German environmental law:
- Preventing risks: Legisl...
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The precautionary Principle
The precautionary principle refers to preventing harm by not doing anything that could have negative consequences.
It is best set out by using the proverb "better safe than sorry" or the medical motto, "first do no harm." The principle has strengths and weaknesses, and it i...
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When not to use the Precautionary Principle
The Precautionary Principle is not applicable:
- When the scale of a potential risk is too low for precautionary action to have a benefit.
- When the tradeoffs are substantial and known. When we know that not taking action will cause more damage th...
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When to use the Precautionary Principle
- When the costs of waiting are low and the safety of something is uncertain.
- When preserving optionality is a priority. Ensuring we don't restrict the available resources or leave messes we can't deal with.
- When the potential costs of ...
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Taking caution before moving forward
Even if we make the slightest change within a complex system, we risk far-reaching unintended consequences.
The Precautionary Principle reflects working with and within complex systems. It focuses on waiting for more complete information before risking the possibility of damage
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Other curated ideas on this topic:
How to manage the framing effect
- Consider the current frame: Be aware of marketing language when you are shopping for a product.
- Reverse the frame: Take the current frame and state it in the opposite way.
- Reframe the options: There may be more than two alter...
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