Exploration of (1)_____ sorts is rooted in the notion of (2)_____ risks. Risk underlies any (3)____ into the unknown, whether dangerous diseases, or an entrepreneur’s investment in a new venture. But what exactly pushed Christopher Columbus to embark on a voyage (4)____ the Atlantic, or Edward Jenner to test his (5)_____ for an early smallpox vaccine on a child, or Henry Ford to bet that automobiles could replace horses?
Some of the motivations for taking risks are obvious – (6)_____ reward, fame, political gain, saving lives. Many people willingly expose themselves to varying degrees of risk in their pursuit of such goals. But as the danger increases, the (7)_____of people willing to go forward shrinks, until the only ones (8)_____ remain are the extreme risk – takers, those willing to endanger their reputation, fortune and life. This is the (9)___ of risk: what makes some humans willing to jeopardize so much and continue to do (10)___ even in the face of dire consequences?