ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the historical foundations of risk discourse; to document where risk thinking has been and where it is going. It also considers a selection of major historic factors and events that have influenced such thinking significantly. The chapter discusses risk-thinking, the process of considering or reasoning about risk and how to manage it within the organization. Thinking describes what the conscious mind does and includes a range of cognitive processes such as perception, calculating and problem-solving. The chapter explores risk philosophy, discussing the evolution of viewpoints and implications for risk theory. It considers the evolution of organizations and management theory and implications for risk thinking. The chapter also considers the evolution of risk management, the risk discipline, function and profession within organizations. It also discusses risk-thinking in pre-mid-20th century; the second half of the 20th century; and the 21st century.
