Racionalidade na aplicação do princípio da precaução em matéria ambiental

Abstract

The principle of precaution surges as a political and judicious instrument to manage risks within cases in which there is a prevailing scientific uncertainty about the repercussions that new scientific discoveries and techniques can have on the conditions that maintain a harmonious environment. In this context, where doubt supersedes the potential degree and danger, the following problem arises: Is it possible to distinguish between rational application and irrational utilization or the arbitrary application of the principal of precaution in environmental law? Principals such as anti-discrimination, proportionality and coherence should guide decisions to act or not to act as much as politics and environmental law, and also require that decisions deepen one's understanding of the principle of precaution. Consequently, what is at stake is the balance between, on the one hand, the liberties of individuals business and organizations and, on the other hand, the need to reduce risk of harmful effects on the environment and the public's health. Therefore, the general objective of this dissertation is the identification of the elements needed for making rational legal decisions that involve science and the environment in the context of measures inspired by the principle of precaution. The first chapter aims to clarify the principal concept, examining whether there are differences in the legal context between roles and principles. The contributions of Dworkin, Alexy and Avila. are recognized. The paper of the moral norm in the justification of rational and just choices is examined in order to expand the understanding of the problem. The theoretical foundation consists o f the ethics of Aristotle, Kant and Jonas. The second chapter intends to analyze the meaning of the principle of precaution as the beginning of environmental law, in order to illustrate its main characteristics. The third and final chapter attempts to explore the idea of risk as a fundamental perspective, principally through the perspective of Ulrich Beck, and retake the legal principles of the application from the beginning and through the thoughts of Habermas, intends to sketch a valid answer to the investigated problem. In view of world-wide social concem over the protection of the values that undergird and guide choices, the present work can contribute toward an improved understanding, both ethical andjudicial, the content of the principle of precaution, resulting in the creation of, at least theoretically, conditions favorable for the political, judicial building of coherent and weighted justifications, that aim to form and guide the generation and implementation of environmental law.