The remarks that will be presented outline the viewpoint of an
economist on the uncertainty that is the background of the discussions
to be held. Examples stress the extent of that uncertainty as
it is faced by decision-makers.
A definition of the consistency of the anticipations of each one
of the agents composing an economy is given. The notion of an
agreement contingent on the occurrence of a specific event is
also introduced. A reconciliation is attempted with the traditional
concepts of future markets, and of the value of the stock of a
corporation. The personal beliefs and the risk attitudes of the
agents will, in large measure, express themselves, and can be
seen against this economic background.
A role of the participants in this meeting is to correct misconceptions,
sometimes gross misconceptions, about what science has achieved,
and about the consequences of the actions that are contemplated
in response to those achievements.
The resulting essay has been translated into Italian and published in the book
Scienza e società. Dieci Nobel per il futuro. (Marsilio, Venezia 1995).
