Precautionary principle

Summary

• The precautionary principle, a phrase first used in English circa 1988, is the idea that if the consequences of an action are unknown, but are judged to have some potential for major or irreversible negative consequences, then it is better to avoid that action. The principle can alternately be applied in an active sense, through the concept of "preventative anticipation" or a willingness to take action in advance of scientific proof of evidence of the need for the proposed action on the grounds that further delay will prove ultimately most costly to society and nature, and, in the longer term, selfish and unfair to future generations.

Similar Topics

• Proactionary Principle
• Peter Principle
• Precautionary demand
• Matching principle
• Normative Principle
• Pareto principle
• Maximin principle
• Mece principle
• Non-aggression principle
• Material principle

Related Topics

• The Need

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