MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES ON RISK - MEASURES AND COMPARISONS

Controversies about technological risks appear often to be controversi es about measures and comparisons. Different indicators can be chosen, depending on the problem, the context, or the objectives. We describe , systematize, and discuss such indicators. First, we deal with risk m easures (i.e., quantities which indicate the kind and degree of a risk ). Secondly, we deal with risk comparisons (i.e., the presentation of two or more risks in order to indicate their relative meaning or signi ficance). Based on the taxonomy of indicators, we suggest a multiple-p erspective characterization of risk using both risk measures and risk comparisons.