Just because Philosophy is a wicked problem doesn’t mean it has no value. Indeed, engaging in studies in Philosophy helps sharpen critical thinking and self-understanding. Similarly, just because some problems are un-fixable doesn’t mean they can’t be ‘tackled’.
However, if one is a beginner, there needs to be a place to start. This is what this series of workshops offers to people in risk and safety. If you want to join in this workshop series (https://safetyrisk.net/philosophy-for-risk-and-safety-free-workshops/) you can register here: admin@spor.com.au
We live in an age where information and data are overwhelming indeed, where data is confused for knowledge and thinking. And, when it comes to Philosophy, what is out there is overwhelming: https://dailynous.com/2016/06/28/a-taxonomic-map-of-philosophy/
In this workshop series the focus is on Philosophy and Risk but we will start with some simple exercises of trying to understand how different worldviews generate radical differences in perspectives in understanding the world, ethics and the self.
This is where the ‘rubber hits the road’ especially in understanding The Ethics of Risk (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/the-ethics-of-risk/).
When we see dehumanisation of persons and the adoration of power exercised in risk, we are observing the outcomes of a method derived from a philosophy.
Acts of brutalism and dehumanising others in risk doesn’t emerge from nowhere, such acts have roots in beliefs and values often undisclosed or hidden in good intentions. A good example of this the ideology of zero (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/zero-the-great-safety-delusion/). The ideology of Zero starts with an intention to prevent harm but the philosophies of Deontology, Engineering and Technique (Ellul) work to cause harm.
Sometimes Safety markets an ethical intention such as ‘do the right thing’ but, hidden in such a slogan is a mechanism that drives naivety and the safety myth of objectivity. The myths of objectivity and impartiality are openly declared in the AIHS Code of Ethics! See Figure 1. AIHS Code of Ethics.
The philosophy of Objectivism (https://aynrand.org/novels/objectivism-the-philosophy-of-ayn-rand/) and Scientism embedded in this code, enable positions of superiority in investigations (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/seek-investigations-a-semiotic-method/) and arrogance in the conduct of safety methods. It is little wonder that none of the 22 major investigations methods on the market don’t discuss the bias of the investigator, the importance of ethics, moral meaning or personhood.
Figure 1. AIHS Code of Ethics.
Once people are convinced that they are objective and impartial and, indoctrinated with a STEM Safety Curriculum, what follows is most often a duty to safety not a duty to persons. With this in mind, the focus is on objects, utility and performance (HOP).
The trouble is, the by-product of these philosophies is harm of persons.
The solution to the dehumanisation and harm of persons is not in tinkering with slogans and methods but rather a shift in philosophy.
If you want to join this workshop series and be challenged about your philosophy of risk, you can register here: admin@spor.com.au
Prof. Robert Long
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