An existential risk factor is a factor that increases the probability of an existential catastrophe. Conversely, an existential security factor is a factor that decreases the probability of such a catastrophe.^[1] Analogous concepts have been used to analyze risks of human extinction^[2] and s-risks.^[3]

Further reading

Baumann, Tobias (2019) Risk factors for s-risks, Center for Reducing Suffering, February 13.

Cotton-Barratt, Owen, Max Daniel & Anders Sandberg (2020) Defence in depth against human extinction: prevention, response, resilience, and why they all matter, Global Policy, vol. 11, pp. 271–282.

Ord, Toby (2020) The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, pp. 175–180.

Related entries

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Ord, Toby (2020) The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, p. 179.
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Cotton-Barratt, Owen, Max Daniel & Anders Sandberg (2020) Defence in depth against human extinction: prevention, response, resilience, and why they all matter, Global Policy, vol. 11, pp. 271–282.
^{^}
Baumann, Tobias (2019) Risk factors for s-risks, Center for Reducing Suffering, February 13.