Why science cannot be value-free
Science and Engineering Ethics 16 (1) (2010)
| Abstract | Against the ideal of value-free science I argue that science is not––and cannot be––value-free and that relevant values are both cognitive and moral. I develop an argument by indicating various aspects of the value-ladenness of science. The recognition of the value-ladenness of science requires rethinking our understanding of the rationality and responsibility of science. Its rationality cannot be seen as merely instrumental––as it was seen by the ideal of value-free science––for this would result in limiting the autonomy of science and reducing scientists to “minds to hire”. The scientific rationality must be seen as practical rationality which takes into account the full horizon of values. The scientific responsibility must also be broaden in scope and type. On this basis I draw three practical conclusions concerning the organization of research and training of young scientists, appealing to Plato’s claim that those most capable of healing are also those most capable of harming. | |||||||||
| Keywords | No keywords specified (fix it) | |||||||||
| Categories | ||||||||||
| Options |
|
|||||||||
Download options| PhilPapers Archive |
Upload a copy of this paper Check publisher's policy on self-archival Papers currently archived: 5,709 |
| External links |
 |
| Through your library | Configure |
Similar books and articlesWenceslao J. González (2008). Economic Values in the Configuration of Science. Poznan Studies in the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities 96 (1):85-112.
Uskali Mäki (1999). Science as a Free Market: A Reflexivity Test in an Economics of Economics. Perspectives on Science 7 (4).
Harvey Siegel (1985). What is the Question Concerning the Rationality of Science? Philosophy of Science 52 (4):517-537.
Harold Kincaid, John Dupré & Alison Wylie (eds.) (2007). Value-Free Science?: Ideals and Illusions. Oxford University Press.
Gregory J. Morgan (2010). Heather Douglas: Is Science Value-Free? (Science, Policy, and the Value-Free Ideal). Science and Engineering Ethics 16 (2).
Panu Raatikainen (2006). The Scope and Limits of Value-Freedom in Science. In Heikki J. Koskinen Sami Pihlstrom & Risto Vilkko (eds.), Science – A Challenge to Philosophy?
James C. Gaa (1977). Moral Autonomy and the Rationality of Science. Philosophy of Science 44 (4):513-541.
Nicholas Maxwell (2010). Review of Science, Policy, and the Value-Free Ideal. [REVIEW] Metapsychology 14 (10).
Gonzalo Munevar (1986). Consensus and Evolution in Science. PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1986:120 - 129.
Analytics
Monthly downloads |
Added to index2009-04-06Total downloads59 ( #16,458 of 549,754 )Recent downloads (6 months)1 ( #63,425 of 549,754 )How can I increase my downloads? |
My notes
Discussion
