Al hilo de la precaución: Jonas y Luhmann sobre la crisis ecológica

Abstract

The precautionary principle arises as a response to the ecological crisis. It diagnosticates a world full of uncertainty in which traditional techniques of risk management cannot be trusted. Jonas and Luhmann take up this situation. Basically, their proposals are contradictory. Jonas understands the ecological crisis a moral crisis and defends its control by following a principle of responsibility which makes us aware of the possible catastrophic effects of the human interventions in the natural environment. Luhmann, on the contrary understands the crisis as a systemic crisis which responds to relations of evolutive reach between the social-technical system and the natural environment. This crisis cannot be manaqed based on morality but only by creating areas of understanding open and changes. Inspite of these dilferences, Jonas and Luhmann show surprising strategic coincidences: both are confronted with a world full of uncertainty and defend its rethorical reconduction. Jonas committing himself to the rhetoric of fear; and Luhmann to the rhetoric of understanding.