A trilemma for the lexical utility model of the precautionary principle

Bibliographic Data

ID21371201
AuthorsH Orri Stefánsson (0000-0002-8382-1802, Stockholm University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume181
Issue12
Pages3271-3287
Publication date2024-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophical Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-8116 • E-ISSN: 1573-0883
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s11098-023-02082-7
OpenAlexW4391107460
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited27

Bartha and DesRoches (Synthese 199(3–4):8701–8740, 2021) and Steel and Bartha (Risk Analysis 43(2):260–268, 2023) argue that we should understand the precautionary principle as the injunction to maximise lexical utilities. They show that the lexical utility model has important pragmatic advantages. Moreover, the model has the theoretical advantage of satisfying all axioms of expected utility theory except continuity. In this paper I raise a trilemma for any attempt at modelling the precautionary principle with lexical utilities: it permits choice cycles or leads to paralysis or implies that the smallest value difference that is possible in a context has extreme axiological implications

Axiom · Context (archaeology) · Economics · Epistemology · Expected utility hypothesis · Geography · Mathematical economics · Metaphysics · Philosophy of language · Philosophy of mind · Precautionary principle · Trilemma · Mathematics · Philosophy · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Risk Perception and Management

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