Ethic of Risk

An ethic of risk as defined by Cynthia Crysdale and Sharon Welch

1. Actions produce partial results
2. Responsible action is risk-taking
3. Goal is the creation of an environment where change might happen
4. The measure of success is on maintaining hope in the face of overwhelming odds

Crysdale defines an ethic of risk as: (1) a redefinition of responsible action (as risk-taking rather than controlling)

2. a grounding in community, and

3. strategic risk-taking.

Embracing Travail by Cynthia Crysdale, Pg 42 Referencing A Feminist Ethic of Risk by Sharon D. Welch

My current understanding of an ethic of risk

• This is really like gardening: we try to create the conditions for change to occur but we can’t force change to happen.
  • [[When we try to force change to happen are we acting in an immoral way?]]
• [[What are the benefits of acting within an ethic of risk?]]
  • It is a realistic conception of reality that leads to neither Cruel Optimism or [[learned helplessness]]
• In order to partner with someone in a meaningful way we must act within an ethic of risk. To do otherwise is to control the situation
  • For some reason, God has determined that to partner with humanity is more important than the outcome
  • how you do the thing is just as important as the end towards which you are aiming. God is aiming for a particular end but he can’t act in a way that is an Ethic of Control. Not because he is not all powerful, but because love does not allow that to happen. [[Love cannot operate within an ethic of control]].
• Important to this question: [[How do you face wicked problems and not lose hope?]]

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