Perhaps the most fundamental divide in risk research is that between proponents of two contradictory concepts of risk. Some take risk as objectively given and determined by physical facts, whereas others see risk as a social construction that is independent of physical facts. These two views are...

In this paper we discuss how rights-based moral theories can increase our understanding of siting controversies. It is argued that the notion of residual obligations can be used to overcome, at least in part, the conflict between the individual right not to be exposed to involuntary risks...

In addition to traditional fallacies such as <italic>ad hominem</italic>, discussions of risk contain logical and argumentative fallacies that are specific to the subject-matter. Ten such fallacies are identified, that can commonly be found in public debates on risk. They are named as follows: the sheer size...

In order to clarify the concept of equal opportunities we need an accurate definition of “opportunity”. Opportunities can be defined in terms of qualifying actions through which an agent can achieve an advantageous position. It is concluded that “equal opportunities” is often used as a...

We propose a framework for studies of efficiency in environmental poli-cies in the form of an iterative “policy cycle”. The policy cycle’s six ma-jor elements are goal-setting, choice of policy instruments (informa-tion/communication, voluntary agreements, economic instruments and...

We defend the precautionary principle against five common charges, namely that it is ill-defined, absolutist, and a value judgement, increases risk-taking, and marginalizes science. We argue, first, that the precautionary principle is, in principle, no more vague or ill-defined than other...

The legal systems for the classification and labelling of chemical substances have an incentives structure that discourages rather than encourages companies to test their products. This is shown in a logical analysis of the European classification system and also in an analysis of recent changes...

Cost–benefit analysis (CBA) gives rise to a whole range of philosophical issues. The most discussed among these is the status of economic values that are assigned to assets conceived as incommensurable with money, such as a human life or the continued existence of an animal species. CBA...