Prejudice as Self-Image Maintenance: Affirming the Self through Derogating Others
Author(s)
Fein, S.; Spencer, S. J.
Abstract
The authors argue that rational people and societies should systematically compare the costs and benefits of their actions when faced with uncertainty concerning the environment, and that a more conservative approach is necessary. This is supported by a discussion regarding how to quantify and evaluate risk, which is usually quite difficult and dependant upon our own values and personal risk assessment. Scientific disputes over environmental risks are explained as a result of this difficulty. The authors discuss their views that risk should be considered before it is in fact proven, that social risk-taking should take into account the views of future generations, and that a reduction of scale is necessary to substantially reduce the risks related to environmental degradation.
