<p>This thesis aims at providing reasonable explications of theprecautionary principle and the concept of precaution, todefend the precautionary principle against some commoncriticisms, and to give an indication of how the precautionaryprinciple might be operationalised.</p><p>In Essay I, the concept of precaution is analysed in termsof precautionary actions. Distinctions between precaution andtwo related concepts, prevention and pessimism, are discussed.A definition involving three necessary and jointly sufficientconditions is proposed as a reasonable explication of aprecautionary action.</p><p>Essay II attempts to provide an analytical apparatus whichmay be used for finding an authoritative formulation of theprecautionary principle. Several formulations of theprecautionary principle are examined. It is argued that theprecautionary principle can be recast into a four-dimensionalif-clause, and that this format can be used in negotiationsconcerning the precautionary principle.</p><p>In Essay III, the precautionary principle is defendedagainst five common charges, namely that it is ill-defined,absolutist, and a value judgement, increases risk-taking, andmarginalises science.</p><p>In Essay IV, a simple formalised model is introduced, inwhich the precautionary principle is interpreted in terms ofdefault values of chemicals regulation.</p><p><b>Key words:</b>Precautionary principle, precaution, risk</p>

"Principal Components Analysis (PCA) is an important mathematical technique widely used in the world of quantitative finance. The ultimate goal of this paper is to construct a portfolio with hedging positions, which is able to outperform the SPY benchmark in terms of the Sharpe ratio. Mathematical techniques implemented in this paper besides principle component analysis are the Sharpe ratio, ARMA, ARCH, GARCH, ACF, and Markowitz methodology. Information about these mathematical techniques is listed in the introduction section. Through conducting in sample analysis, out sample analysis, and back testing, it is demonstrated that the quantitative approach adopted in this paper, such as principle component analysis, can be used to find the major driving factor causing movements of a portfolio, and we can perform a more effective portfolio analysis by using principle component analysis to reduce the dimensions of a financial model."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 81).

Thesis (doctoral)--Georg-Augusts-Universität zu Göttingen, 1910. / Cover title. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Philosophy. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 277-285). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR19839

Thesis (doctoral)--Universitas Tartuensis, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 262-287).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1938. / Typescript. Includes abstract and vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Utrecht. / Vita. Summary in Dutch. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 363-392).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1992. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [146]-149).

Thesis--Utrecht. / Vita. Summary in Dutch. Includes bibliographical references (p. 363-392).