Understanding Hidden Risks from Disasters: Cases of Hurricane Katrina and Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown

Kim, Seong Dae

doi:10.1061/(asce)me.1943-5479.0000539

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…While discussions concerning unknown unknowns have strongly relied on risk analysis and the theories of risk management (e.g. Kim 2017), with regards to the epistemology of ignorance, scholars have raised questions regarding unknown unknowns related to terms such as 'inevitable ignorance' (Rescher 2009), 'cognitive closure' (Stoljar 2009) and 'insolubilia' (Rescher 2009). The term 'insolubilia' is derived from the field of theology and it is used to refer to a domain that cannot be considered a proper object of epistemological study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Negative expertise in conditions of manufactured ignorance: epistemic strategies, virtues and skills

Parviainen

Lahikainen

2019

Synthese

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This paper is motivated by the need to respond to the spread of influential misinformation and manufactured ignorance, which places pressure on the work of experts in various sectors. To meet this need, the paper discusses the conditions required for expert testimony to evolve a reconceptualisation of negative capability as a new form of epistemic humility. In this regard, professional knowledge formation is not considered to be separate from the institutional and social processes and values that uphold its production. Drawing attention to the structural and relational aspects of ignorance, as opposed to the individualistic and internal aspects, we rely on the sociology of knowledge, the social epistemologies and the feminist epistemologies that have played a fundamental role in the development of the investigation of ignorance. First, we analyse the criteria for epistemic humility based on prior theoretical discussions concerning negative knowledge as a form of reflective practice. Then, we seek to determine what kinds of strategies, virtues and skills experts need to have so as to 'manage ignorance' in socially complex situations. Finally, we suggest the reformulation of negative expertise as a phronetic skill for navigating through situations of ignorance and uncertainty in an epistemically and socially responsible manner.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%