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Reflections on ‘Real science: What it is, and what it means’ by John Ziman

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Abstract

In these reflections on the recent book by John Ziman entitled ‘Real Science: What it is and what it means’, I have sought to review his main points and carry on the discussion that Ziman seeks to provoke. His approach to this subject arises from what exists on the ground and the way practising scientists view this area. I have taken a wider more abstract view of what is entailed by science than Ziman and have examined the implications of that choice. As we are presently being urged to effect more and more cross and multi-disciplinary activities and research, the boundaries that may be used to set aside that which is scientific are exposed to additional strains that challenge their integrity. The continuation of this discussion into the future is clearly called for; its outcome is less apparent.

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References

  1. Ziman, J. (2000) Real Science: What it is and what it means, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York.

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  2. Krimsky, S. and Rothenberg, L. S. (2001) Conflict of Interest Policies and Medical Journals: Editorial Policies and Author Disclosures, Science and Engineering Ethics 7: 205–218.

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  3. For an elaboration of these points see: Spier, R.E. (2002) Ethics, tools and the Engineer, CRC, Boca Raton FL, pp. 109–115 and Spier, R.E. (1995) Science, Engineering and Ethics: Running Definitions, Science and Engineering Ethics 1: 5–10.

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  4. Park, R. L. (2000) Voodoo Science, Oxford University Press, Oxford, p. 230.

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  5. Wolpert, L. (1992) The Unnatural Nature of Science, Faber and Faber, London, p. 191.

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  6. Spier, R. E. (2002) Ethics, Tools and the Engineer, CRC, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 77–81.

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  7. Moore, G.E. (1959) Principia ethica, Cambridge University Press, p. 10.

  8. Hume, D. (1739) A Treatise of Human Nature Being an Attampt to Introduce the Experimental Method of Reasoning into Moral Subjects: Book III, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1888, p. 489.

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  9. Also selections from this review quoted in the OED 1989 (The Compact Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition: L Complete Text) BCA, London, p. 2386.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Surrey, GU2 7XH, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom

    Raymond Spier (Professor of Science and Engineering Ethics)

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  1. Raymond Spier
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Correspondence to Raymond Spier.

Additional information

Real Science: What it is and what it means by John Ziman, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK and New York, 2000, ISBN 052177229X, 412 pp., hardback £25.00, $45.00; June 2002 (new edition), ISBN 0521893100, 411 pp. paperback £16.95, $25.00.

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Spier, R. Reflections on ‘Real science: What it is, and what it means’ by John Ziman. SCI ENG ETHICS 8, 235–252 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-002-0025-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-002-0025-2

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