Extinction and Risk
92 Pages Posted: 28 Mar 2012 Last revised: 11 Apr 2014
Date Written: April 11, 2014
Abstract
This is an early portion of a forthcoming work of practical moral philosophy, one arguing that humanity, as a species, should want to survive. This particular piece argues that neo-classical economics places an emphasis on short-term gain over precaution and in doing so places lives of individual humans — and even the species itself — at risk. We need to change our economic principles and priorities — if we want to survive.
Keywords: Risk, law and economics, markets, environment, unrestricted cost-benefit analysis, CBA, regulation, discounting, incommensurability, consent, moral fairness, subjectivity, maximization, risk society, irreversibility, precautionary principle, feasible risk reduction
JEL Classification: A11, A12, A13, D11, D61, D63, D81, K10, P17, Q20, Q30
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation