Toward an information theoretic ontology of risk, resilience and sustainability and a blueprint for education– Part I

Abstract

The concept of risk as the theoretical and methodological basis for information-consistent ranking of decision alternatives is central for safe, sustainable and resilient societal developments. However, due to significant disparities in the understanding of the concept of risk in academia, and in its application in governance and industry, we argue that a new paradigm for risk must be established. In a sequence of three papers (Part I, Part II and Part III) we take up this challenge, with the leading objective of providing a coherent foundation for the further development and transfer of the general body of knowledge relevant to governance of risk, resilience and sustainability–through research and education. In Part I, the present paper, we first present our motivation and general approach to the problem. Thereafter, we provide an overview and a discussion on the state of research and education in the domain of risk, resilience and sustainability, and propose a generic, information-based hazard classification scheme, which informs the development of a domain ontology and a blueprint for education.