Theories for Use: On the Bearing of Basic Science on Practical Problems

Abstract

In the past half-century, scientific research has enjoyed financial support of an unprecedented degree. The reason behind this expenditure is not the hope for clarification of the nature of dark energy, nor the desire to learn more about super symmetry. Rather, underlying public and private sponsoring of research alike is the idea that science is a primary source of technological development which is in turn viewed as a driving force of economic growth. In what follows I will attempt to identify methodological features of research directed at practical goals.

Projects of this sort thrive or fail on the appropriateness of distinguishing between kinds of scientific research. The distinction between basic or epistemic research, on the one hand, and applied research, on the other, is of foremost importance in this respect. It is objected that such a distinction cannot be sustained in that applied research, like basic research, produces new knowledge, and in that basic research, like applied research, has an impact on technology. This observation is justified but of a limited bearing on the issue. Namely, it is still possible to conceptually separate basic and applied research by appeal to the goals pursued or, correspondingly, by the success criteria invoked. Epistemic research primarily strives for understanding natural phenomena or processes, applied research aims at practical needs or utility (Stokes 1997: 6–8). Correspondingly, the success of a project in applied research is assessed by economic standards whereas epistemic projects are judged according to the understanding gained. Such standards need not be assumed hypothetically, they are laid open publicly. Attempts to build optical switches or blue light emitting diodes (LEDs), to name just a few technological challenges on the present agenda, are supported by estimates of the future potential market volume. Endeavors like the quest for the Higgs boson, by contrast, are justified by appeal to the human desire to understand nature’s workings. The conceptual boundary between epistemic and applied research is marked by the commitment to understanding and utility, respectively. However, this distinction does not imply an empirical dichotomy; it does not rule out that a given research project serves both ends simultaneously.