Theory of uncertainty

This book examines uncertainty across philosophy, social sciences, and risk research, proposing a new taxonomy encompassing ontological, epistemological, linguistic-communicative, and teleological uncertainty. The book explores uncertainty's role in shaping human action, social institutions, and modernity's challenges. Klinke argues for a "reinvigorated Enlightenment" acknowledging uncertainty's immanence, particularly in the Anthropocene. The work further investigates the epistemological challenges of understanding uncertainty, analyzing knowledge production and the impact of post-factual communication, and examining the role of language and discourse in shaping perceptions of reality. Finally, it proposes "postnormal democratic governance" to navigate uncertainty in contemporary socio-political contexts.