The Precautionary Principle as a Decision-Making Criterion

A comprehensive analysis of the precautionary principle is carried out in the article. The essence of the "precautionary principle" concept and its main elements are analyzed, the concept of "morally unacceptable harm"is interpreted. A retrospective analysis of the emergence of the "precautionary principle" concept is carried out, the place and role of the precautionary principle in various international treaties is investigated. It is emphasized that scientific uncertainty is not an excuse for inaction when there is convincing evidence of potentially serious damage. The moral and ethical basis of the precautionary principle is noted. The place of the precautionary principle in the theory and practice of decisionmaking is investigated in the article. It is emphasized that the precautionary principle must be applied in conditions of uncertainty, when the boundaries of possible results are unknown and there are no reliable grounds for quantifying probabilities, and the ethical aspects of equality between and within generations are at stake, other decision-making principles cannot satisfactorily solve these problems.