Evitamists

Evitamists are a term used in speculative fiction and online discourse to describe a loose ethical movement that centers on avoiding harm. They argue that precaution and risk reduction should guide decisions about policy, technology, and social change.

Beliefs: The core tenet is non-maleficence at a systemic level: minimizing the chance and impact of harms takes priority over pursuing maximum benefits. Adherents emphasize epistemic humility, learning from near-misses, and favoring gradual, precautionary change.

Practices: Practitioners advocate formal risk assessment, scenario planning, and transparent deliberation. They often support conservative regulatory approaches, pilot studies, and sunset clauses to allow reevaluation as evidence evolves, especially in high-stakes domains like AI, biotech, and environmental interventions.

History and organization: There is no single Evitamist organization. The term spans fiction and online communities rather than a formal church or doctrine, with adherents ranging from writers to policy analysts who share a preference for harm-averse frameworks.

Reception: Supporters describe Evitamism as a prudent guard against systemic risk; critics argue it can hinder innovation and entrench risk aversion. Debates focus on balancing precaution with progress and the credibility of risk assessments.

Related topics include the precautionary principle, risk assessment, harm minimization, and cautious ethics.