Emerging Technologies, Extreme Uncertainty, and the Principle of Rational Precautionary Reasoning

Beyleveld, Deryck; Brownsword, Roger

doi:10.5235/175799612800650644

Emerging Technologies, Extreme Uncertainty, and the Principle of Rational Precautionary Reasoning

Beyleveld, Deryck; Brownsword, Roger

Authors

Professor Deryck Beyleveld deryck.beyleveld@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Roger Brownsword

Abstract

This paper argues that, in a context of 'extreme uncertainty' (where it is believed that it is possible that an emerging technology might cause harm to humans, damage to the environment, or some form of moral violation; but where the likelihood of such harm can be expressed only as lying in the range >0<1), regulators should be guided by a 'Principle of Rational Precautionary Reason' (the PRPR). The PRPR, which is to be distinguished from the precautionary principle, is presented as a rational response to cases of extreme uncertainty that regulators might encounter in both their prudential and moral calculations. For illustrative purposes, the application of the PRPR is tested in relation to the Large Hadron Collider, nanotechnologies and food, and the application of neuroscience and neurotechnologies in the criminal justice system.

Citation

Beyleveld, D., & Brownsword, R. (2012). Emerging Technologies, Extreme Uncertainty, and the Principle of Rational Precautionary Reasoning. Law, Innovation and Technology, 4(1), 35-65. https://doi.org/10.5235/175799612800650644

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	May 1, 2012
Deposit Date	Jun 12, 2012
Publicly Available Date	Jul 2, 2013
Journal	Law, Innovation and Technology
Print ISSN	1757-9961
Electronic ISSN	1757-997X
Publisher	Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	4
Issue	1
Pages	35-65
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5235/175799612800650644