This semester, I am taking a course entitled 15.655 - Law, Technology, and Policy class (known henceforth as the law class). The course provides an introduction to the rudimentary concepts of the American legal framework and key legal philosophies. It also examines the interface between law, technology, and public policy; especially how law can be used as a competing paradigm besides science and economics to promote social justice, wealth distribution, economic sustainability, and environmental sensibility. This class is turning out slightly better than I had initially expected. A lot of the things that were discussed in class were not only pretty thought-provoking but encourage me to think in a different way that I normally won't.

Like last week, we were introduced on the concept of precautionary principle. The essence of precautionary principle is the idea that if there is reasonable suspicion of harm under an uncertain and irreversible context, then inaction may pose a risk of harm. To advert harm, a precautionary action or a less risky alternative must then be taken. In deciding how to apply precautionary principle, one may use risk assessment or cost-benefit analysis, which factors in both opportunity cost of not acting, and the option value of waiting for further information before acting (wikipedia). So far we have used the precautionary principle on the assessment of technology, policy, and law, all which may have some indication of possible detrimental impact or even harm on society; however, I can't help but to think if precautionary principle can also be applied to war?

3/19/2006 8:02:37 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

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