Philosophy and Science of Risk: An Introduction

What is risk? How do we assess risk? What are the ethical implications of risk? The concept of risk is important – sometimes even crucial – for many philosophical domains, from philosophy of science and technology to ethics and sustainability. Philosophy and Science of Risk is a clear, wide-ranging introduction to this urgent and fast-growing subject. It covers the following key topics:

• The philosophical and historical background to understanding and interpreting risk

• The meaning of risk and how it differs from closely related concepts, such as uncertainty or dangers

• The social construction of risk

• Risk perception and risk as an object of scientific study

• The measurement of risk, its probability and severity

• Risk and scientific modeling

• Risk, value judgments, and expertise

• Risk management, including cost-benefit analysis and the precautionary approach

• Risk communication, including deliberative models

• Ethics of risk, including duties toward nonhuman animals and future generations

• Risk and sustainability

• Decision-making under risk

Including helpful additional features such as text boxes, chapter summaries, review, and discussion questions, Philosophy and Science of Risk: An Introduction is an ideal textbook for students of the philosophy of risk. It is also suitable for students studying the conceptual questions surrounding risk in related subjects, such as sociology, psychology, economics, politics, geography, sustainability, and environmental studies.

Isabelle Peschard is an associate professor emerita and lecturer faculty in the Philosophy Department at San Francisco State University, USA.

Yann Benétreau-Dupin is a division editor at PLOS ONE for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Neuroscience, Mental Health Team, and a visiting scholar at San Francisco State University, USA.

Christopher Wessels is a lecturer faculty in the Philosophy Department at San Francisco State University, USA.