3 ms·
The precautionary principle provides little basis for cost-benefit analysis. Should we be willing to spend a trillion dollars to stop global warming? Half the g
by jacoblyles 17y ago
The precautionary principle provides little basis for cost-benefit analysis. Should we be willing to spend a trillion dollars to stop global warming? Half the global economy? 90% of it? Probably not the last one, because billions would die. Assuming the worst-case will happen if we don't act isn't a good way to make rational decisions.
- poutine 17y agoCorrect, it doesn't really guide you here. It just tells you that you don't need to be certain of the outcome before acting due to the potential extreme costs of inaction.
- jacoblyles 17y agoSure. I think what you're arguing for is probabilistic cost/benefit analysis, which I think is a fine idea.
- poutine 17y agoBasically, yeah.