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FAK3143 Philosophy of Risk 7.5 credits

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Information per course offering

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Termin

Information for Autumn 2025 Start 25 Aug 2025 programme students

Course location

KTH Campus

Duration
25 Aug 2025 - 12 Jan 2026
Periods
P2 (7.5 hp)
Pace of study

25%

Application code

50000

Form of study

Normal Daytime

Language of instruction

English

Course memo
Course memo is not published
Number of places

Places are not limited

Target group
No information inserted
Planned modular schedule
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Schedule
Schedule is not published
Part of programme
No information inserted

Contact

Examiner
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Course coordinator
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Teachers
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Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus FAK3143 (Autumn 2019–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus FAK3143 (Autumn 2019–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

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.

Intended learning outcomes

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.

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

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

Literature

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

Examination and completion

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

Grading scale

P, F

Examination

  • SEM1 - Seminar, 3.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Exam, 4.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

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 credits
  • TEN1 - Examination, 4.0 credits

Other requirements for final grade

  • SEM1 - Seminars, 3.5 credits
  • TEN1 - Examination, 4.0 credits

Examiner

Profile picture John Cantwell

Ethical approach

  • 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.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

ABE/Philosophy

Main field of study

This course does not belong to any Main field of study.

Education cycle

Third cycle

Supplementary information

To apply for the course, please fill in the form available on this link:https://www.kth.se/form/fak3143-philosophy-of-risk-7-5-credits

Postgraduate course

Postgraduate courses at ABE/Philosophy