Safe, secure and ethical e-society

The paper discusses two crucial problem domains of safety sciences: (1) the dilemma of science versus science where different scientific strands are pitched against each other while being co-opted by varying interest groups to legitimize and defend their political goals and (2) the dilemma of science versus the public in the field of risk assessment and risk communication. The paper highlights ethical philosophical approaches as potential guiding frameworks to arrive at participative, just and ethically defensible decisions for a safe society. Finally it reflects the problem to adequately distribute responsibilities in case of accidents.