Risks of risk decisions

Journal Article · Fri Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 1980 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.208.4448.1114· OSTI ID:6169365

Starr, C; Whipple, C

The analytical approaches used to evaluate the acceptability of technological risk originate from analogies to financial cost-benefit risk analysis. These analogies appear generally valid for viewing risk from a societal basis, but are not applicable to individual risk assessments. Conflicts arising from these different views of risk assessment provide insights to the origins of individual, intuitive evaluations. Societal risk decisions made under conflict represent political compromises, and the resulting decision process creates substantial conflict costs. The pragmatic use of quantitative risk criteria (safety targets) may be useful in reducing these costs.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA
• OSTI ID: 6169365
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Journal Issue: 4448 Vol. 208:4448; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
DECISION MAKING
HAZARDS
PUBLIC POLICY
RISK ASSESSMENT
SOCIAL IMPACT