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Social intercourse with current environmental risks
Gesellschaftlicher Umgang mit aktuellen Umweltrisiken
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:24:09
Abstract
The lecture treats the social intercourse with risks of technical systems. The notion of risk and the perception of risk are discussed. Technique as a socio-cultural event is illustrated by case studies (gene technology and nanotechnology) and socio-political instruments for decision-making are presented. Emphasis is given on new demands for the intercourse with risks.
Objective
- Getting acquainted to the extended risk concept - Evaluation of the risks caused by technology within the societal context - Knowledge about the mode science and society handle current environmental risks (examples gene- and nanotechnology) - Knowledge about new demands to handle risks (e.g. precautionary principle, protection goal, damage definition, ethics)
Content
- Risks and technical systems (risk categories, risk perception, risk management) - Technology as socio-cultural incidence - Illustration with case studies (gene- and nanotechnology) - Implementation (politics, science, culture, etc.) - decision making (technology assessment, consensus conference, publiforum etc) - New demands on the handling with risks (precautionary principle, dealing with uncertainty, protection goals (risk definition), factor time (monitoring), ethics (dignity of creature)) - prospects
Resources
Lecture Notes
Copies of slides and selected documents will be distributed
Literature
Perrow Ch., Normale Katastrophen. Die unvermeidbaren Risiken der Grosstechnik, Campus Verlag, Frankfurt 1987. Beck U., Risikogesellschaft. Auf dem Weg in eine andere Moderne, edition suhrkamp NF 365, Suhrkamp, Frankfurt 1986. Beck U., Gegengifte. Die organisierte Unverantwortlichkeit, edition suhrkamp NF 468, Suhrkamp, Frankfurt 1988. Beck U., Politik in der Risikogesellschaft, Suhrkamp TB st 1831, Suhrkamp, Frankfurt 1991. Evers A., Novotny, H., Über den Umgang mit Unsicherheit. Die Entdeckung der Gestaltbarkeit von Gesellschaft, stw 672, Suhrkamp, Frankfurt 1987. Bainbridge, W. S., Roco, M. C., Managing Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno Innovations: Converging Technologies in Society, Springer 2006. Davis, J. C., Managing the Effects of Nanotechnology. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 2006.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Gesellschaftlicher Umgang mit aktuellen Umweltrisiken |
|
1 h weekly |