Risk and Morality

Front Cover
Richard V. Ericson, Aaron Doyle
University of Toronto Press, Jan 1, 2003 - Social Science - 461 pages

Risk and Morality examines how decisions about risk and uncertainty relate to moral principles and ethical conduct. Editors Richard Ericson and Aaron Doyle have brought together in this volume a selection of original essays on the topic by renowned scholars in the disciplines of philosophy, sociology, law, political science, geography, criminology, and accounting from Canada, the United States, England, France, and Australia. Presenting cutting-edge theory and research, the essays analyse the broader social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of risk and morality.

The concept of risk has become pervasive in recent years in political discourse, popular culture, organizational communications, and everyday life. The contributors' respective research projects on risk and morality in politics, business, legal regulation, crime prevention, insurance, extreme sports, and biotechnology provide original empirical evidence to substantiate their theories and address the ideological and policy relevance of their work. Collectively, the contributors explain why risk is such a key aspect of Western culture, and demonstrate that new regimes for risk management are transforming social integration, value-based reasoning and morality. Further, they illustrate that these new regimes do not necessarily foster more responsible conduct or greater accountability in institutions.

 

Contents

Introduction
13
Risk and Dirt
22
The Rise of Risk
48
Three Framing Devices
93
Introduction
107
New Moralities of Risk and Political Responsibility
117
Risk Management and the Responsible Organization
145
ALAN HUNT
165
Contract Law and Distinctions
231
Adverse
258
Insurers as Moral Actors
284
The Case
317
Introduction
367
High Altitude Rescue
375
The Neurochemical Self and Its Anomalies
407
Targeted Governance and the Problem of Desire
438

The Rationalities
193
Introduction
217
Contributors
459
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About the author (2003)

Richard V. Ericson is the director of the Centre for Criminological Research at the University of Oxford and is a fellow of All Souls College. Aaron Doyle is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Carleton University.

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