Precautionary Principle
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
In the face of potentially serious and irreversible harm, precautionary measures should be taken in advance even if science has not yet confirmed the risk, rather than waiting for evidence.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
The precautionary principle (or precautionary approach) is a broad epistemological, philosophical and legal approach to innovations with potential for causing harm when extensive scientific knowledge on the matter is lacking. It emphasizes caution, pausing and review before leaping into new innovati…
Anchor fast decisions
When an action has suspected serious or irreversible harm and scientific evidence is insufficient, precautionary measures should be taken rather than waiting for confirmation; it treats 'uncertainty' itself as a reason for action, not an excuse for inaction.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/5Practice this model in one real situation:
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more
Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precautionary_principleverified
PRIVATE NOTES · Only visible to you
SAVED Q&A
ENTRY Q&A · Private saving available
Ask with a clear boundary
thinkingmodels answers from published entry context only.
Your question is sent to thinkingmodels. The answer uses public entry context only.
RELATED MODELS