The precautionary principle in its strong versions (placing the burden on a proponent to prove an activity is safe) is incoherent and paralyzing because it forbids the very steps it requires: banning nuclear power on precautionary grounds itself creates probabilistic risks (including climate change), so the principle simultaneously compels and prohibits action, inaction, and everything in between.
factualpending
Speaker
Cass SunsteinEvidence Quote
“I think for example of arsenic in drinking water ... it's also the case that if you have aggressive regulation of arsenic in drinking water ... some people are going to be using their own Wells to avoid the expence ... my problem with the precautionary principle is that taken seriously in the strong versions it is incoherent ... it is paralyzing it bans action and inaction and everything in between”
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:17:23 AM
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