The Concept of Irreversibility: Its Use in the Sustainable Development and Precautionary Principle Literature

Abstract

"Writers on sustainable development and the Precautionary Principle frequently invoke the concept of irreversibility. This paper gives a detailed analysis of that concept. Three senses of irreversible are distinguished: thermodynamic, medical, and economic. For each sense, an ontology (a realm of application for the term) and a normative status (whether the term is purely descriptive or partially evaluative) are identified. Then specific uses of irreversible in the literatures on sustainable development and the Precautionary Principle are analysed. The paper concludes with some advice on how irreversible should be used in the context of environmental decision-making."