Proactionary principle
Encyclopedia
An ethical and decision-making principle, the proactionary principle is formulated by the extropian
philosopher Max More
as follows:
The proactionary principle was formulated as an opposing viewpoint to the precautionary principle
, which is based on the concept that consequences of actions in complex systems are often unpredictable and irreversible and concludes that such actions should generally be opposed. The Proactionary Principle is based upon the observation that historically, the most useful and important technological innovations were neither obvious nor well-understood at the time of their invention. Dr. More recommends 10 principles in his paper Proactionary Principle:
However, the proactionary principle argues that "sufficient study" may in some cases be impractical. For instance, in releasing a new life form into the biosphere — whether genetically-modified plant, animal, or bacteria — one would have to simulate the biosphere to achieve "acceptable levels of predictability." While the innovator of the new life form might point out that such a simulation would be a heavy burden, the other life forms in the biosphere could suffer irreparable harm in the case of an untested release. More's first principle, freedom to innovate, would place the burden of proof on those who propose a restrictive measure.
), the opportunity cost of imposing a restrictive measure must be balanced against the potential costs of damage due to a new technology, rather than just considering the potential damages alone.
Extropianism
Extropianism, also referred to as the philosophy of "Extropy", is an evolving framework of values and standards for continuously improving the human condition....
philosopher Max More
Max More
Max More is a philosopher and futurist who writes, speaks, and consults on advanced decision-making about emerging technologies....
as follows:
People’s freedom to innovate technologically is highly valuable, even critical, to humanity. This implies several imperatives when restrictive measures are proposed: Assess risks and opportunities according to available science, not popular perception. Account for both the costs of the restrictions themselves, and those of opportunities foregone. Favor measures that are proportionate to the probability and magnitude of impacts, and that have a high expectation value. Protect people’s freedom to experiment, innovate, and progress.
The proactionary principle was formulated as an opposing viewpoint to the precautionary principle
Precautionary principle
The precautionary principle or precautionary approach states that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or to the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus that the action or policy is harmful, the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those...
, which is based on the concept that consequences of actions in complex systems are often unpredictable and irreversible and concludes that such actions should generally be opposed. The Proactionary Principle is based upon the observation that historically, the most useful and important technological innovations were neither obvious nor well-understood at the time of their invention. Dr. More recommends 10 principles in his paper Proactionary Principle:
- Freedom to innovate
- Objectivity
- Comprehensiveness
- Openness/Transparency
- Simplicity
- Triage
- Symmetrical treatment
- Proportionality
- Prioritization
- Renew and Refresh
Predictability and sufficient study
In theory, sufficient study of the variables of any proposed course of action may yield acceptable levels of predictability. In this regard the proactionary principle can be looked upon as the philosophical formulation of the accepted mathematical principles of extrapolation and the logical principles of induction.However, the proactionary principle argues that "sufficient study" may in some cases be impractical. For instance, in releasing a new life form into the biosphere — whether genetically-modified plant, animal, or bacteria — one would have to simulate the biosphere to achieve "acceptable levels of predictability." While the innovator of the new life form might point out that such a simulation would be a heavy burden, the other life forms in the biosphere could suffer irreparable harm in the case of an untested release. More's first principle, freedom to innovate, would place the burden of proof on those who propose a restrictive measure.
Balance
According to the proactionary principle (and cost-benefit analysisCost-benefit analysis
Cost–benefit analysis , sometimes called benefit–cost analysis , is a systematic process for calculating and comparing benefits and costs of a project for two purposes: to determine if it is a sound investment , to see how it compares with alternate projects...
), the opportunity cost of imposing a restrictive measure must be balanced against the potential costs of damage due to a new technology, rather than just considering the potential damages alone.
For
- Proactionary Principle, authored by Max More
- Commentary from Fight Aging!
- The Open Future: The Reversibility Principle (WorldChanging.com, March 6, 2006 article)
- The Extropy Institute
- Would you give up your immortality to ensure the success of a posthuman world? (From Reason (magazine)Reason (magazine)Reason is a libertarian monthly magazine published by the Reason Foundation. The magazine has a circulation of around 60,000 and was named one of the 50 best magazines in 2003 and 2004 by the Chicago Tribune.- History :...
)
Neutral
Against
- The quest for proactive evolution: "Throw caution to the winds" is the motto of a technology-infatuated group which wants to improve the human race.
- It may sound loopy, but a group of people calling themselves 'transhumanists' seeks to replace humans with an artificial form of life. The group is aggressively opposing the precautionary principle, hoping to substitute their own 'proactionary principle.' We dismiss them at our peril.