F1N5125 Philosophy of Risk 7.5 credits

This is a basic course on philosophical aspects of risk and safety. The course goal is to equip students with tools, collected from different philosophical subdisciplines, that will facilitate risk analysis and risk communication.

The course is made up of lectures and seminars. In the lectures fundamental concepts used in the analysis of societal risks will be introduced, for example uncertainty, risk analysis, maximization of utility, the precautionary principle. A central part of the course is ethical analysis risks, risk assessment, and risk management.

After completed course the student should be able to

- outline the basics of risk analysis

- state and explain different definitions of risk

- analyze and discuss risks, using tools from different philosophical subdisciplines

- critically question and problemize risks and risk analysis from different philosophical perspectives

- discuss ethical aspects of risks and risk analysis.

Enlisted as doctorand student, and language proficiency corresponding to Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English B/English 6.

The course literature is posted on the course homepage four weeks prior to the start of the course.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

• SEM1 - Seminars, 3.5, grade scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 4.0, grade scale: P, F

• SEM1 - Seminars, 3.5, grade scale: P
• TEN1 - Examination, 4.0, grade scale: P

John Cantwell

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.