Comparativistics for Big Safety: Hegel’s Dialectic-based Methodology and Critical Applications Experience

comprativistics or comparativism (CV) is the science of comparing different objects and processes by determining their differences and common properties and development trends. The paper describes methodology of implementing CV approach for providing safety (as a part of Big Safety), in particular, comparison of safety assurance principles for different critical objects (COs, NPPs, aviation and aerospace systems etc.) and for the similar objects based on different technologies of development and manufacturing, methods of safety analysis, etc. This approach and related activities are very useful for the implementing a centripetal trend in the safety. The directions of CO safety comprativistics are classified. Some methods of safety CV analysis are proposed based on Hegel’s dialectics laws (HDLs, negation of negation and others) and a triad “thesis-antithesis-synthesis”. Brief results of authors’ works devoted to comparing NPPs safety with other COs (control systems of the intercontinental ballistic missiles, space control systems) are discussed. Evolution and particularities of implementing diversity as a principle of ensuring safety are analyzed in context of the suggested HDL-based CV method.