Topics Covered

• Types of category errors that are frequently made in assignment of values.
• The different types of values.
• The conflicts that often arise from a collision of values.
• The cost of exercising a right.
• Examples of Coasian Bargaining, identifying the limitations of more complex cases.
• The application of Ron Coase’s suggestions of market-based solutions to problems of social cost.
• The limits to the scientific knowledge that can be used to underpin decisions.
• The use of precaution when making decisions where there is a lack of scientific knowledge.
• Defining how the application of precaution may prevent significant innovations from being made.
• The reasons why the precautionary principle is not applied with consistency when making decisions.
• The role of power and hegemony as an important factor when the precautionary principle is applied in decision making.
• The importance of making precautionary decisions that have economic costs.
• The application of the principles to environmental case studies: the impact of Chernobyl, genetically modified organisms, asbestos, and ecosystem services.
• The power of a well-written news report to change people’s opinions and values: writing a press release.