Categorising Perceptions af Danger and Risks. A Philosophical Perspective

The philosophical examination of danger and risk transcends practical statistical analysis and economic consequence, reflecting cultural values, emotions and cognitive processes. In essence, risk reflects not only material conditions but the values, fears, and aspirations of societies. This paper explores the multilayered nature of risk perception, emphasizing openness’ importance in nuclear energy’s controversial field. Human responses to danger are influenced not only by immediate experience but also by collective memory and cultural heritage. This intersection of historical awareness and present realities creates a nuanced landscape, where nuclear science represents both a symbol of progress and a source of existential anxiety. Philosophical reflection thus becomes indispensable in disentangling these paradoxes and illuminating pathways through uncertainty. Risk is not merely an obstacle to progress; it is the very terrain where progress is negotiated. Risk embodies tensions between preservation and transformation, between the instinct to safeguard the present and the drive to innovate for the future. Nuclear technologies exemplify this dual nature, representing both the dangers of hubris and the promise of sustainable advancement.