A peritagem científica perante o risco e as incertezas

Helena Mateus Jerónimo*

O conhecimento científico mobilizado pelos peritos em apoio ao processo decisório constitui um recurso valioso. Contudo, a peritagem não é imune a apropriações políticas nem deixa de ter os seus próprios limites epistémicos. Por isso, é questionável concebê-la como sendo o único meio para assegurar a legitimidade de uma dada decisão. A este propósito, não é indiferente que os peritos realizem análises científicas baseadas numa concepção probabilística de risco ou numa outra que pondere as incertezas e a ignorância.

Palavras-chave: Peritagem científica, Risco

L’expertise scientifique face au risque et aux incertitudes

La connaissance scientifique mobilisée par les experts pour étayer le processus de décision est une bonne ressource. Toutefois, l’expertise n’est pas immune aux appropriations politiques et possède également ses propres limites épistémiques. C’est pourquoi elle ne devrait pas être conçue comme étant le seul moyen d’assurer la légitimité d’une décision donnée. Et il n’est pas indifférent, à ce propos, que les experts fassent des analyses scientifiques basées sur une conception probabiliste du risque et sur une autre conception susceptible de peser les incertitudes et l’ignorance.

Scientific expertise in relation to risk and uncertainty

Scientific knowledge used to assist decision-makers is a valuable resource. However, expertise is not immune to political appropriation, and has its own epistemic limitations. It is therefore questionable to regard expertise as the only method of ensuring that any given decision is legitimate. In this connection, it makes a difference whether experts carry out their scientific analysis on the basis of a probabilistic conception of risk, or on a different basis which takes uncertainties and ignorance into account.

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* Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão da Universidade Técnica de Lisboa e SOCIUS (Centro de Investigação em Sociologia Económica e das Organizações).