PhilSci Archive

Selective Ignorance and Agricultural Research

Elliott, Kevin (2012) Selective Ignorance and Agricultural Research. [Preprint]

[img] Microsoft Word
STHV_Preprint_2012.doc - Accepted Version

Download (124kB)

Abstract

Scholars working in science and technology studies (STS) have recently argued that we could learn much about the nature of scientific knowledge by paying closer attention to scientific ignorance. Building on the work of Robert Proctor, this paper shows how ignorance can stem from a wide range of selective research choices that incline researchers toward partial, limited understandings of complex phenomena. A recent report produced by the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development (IAASTD) serves as the paper’s central case study. After arguing that the forms of selective ignorance illustrated in cases like this one are both socially important and difficult to address, I suggest several strategies for responding to them in a socially responsible manner.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Elliott, Kevinke@sc.edu
Keywords: agnotology; ignorance; scientific pluralism; interdisciplinarity; science and values; agriculture; deliberation; science funding
Subjects: General Issues > Ethical Issues
General Issues > Feminist Approaches
General Issues > Science and Society
General Issues > Science and Policy
General Issues > Values In Science
Depositing User: Kevin Elliott
Date Deposited: 07 Mar 2012 12:17
Last Modified: 07 Mar 2012 12:17
Item ID: 9040
Subjects: General Issues > Ethical Issues
General Issues > Feminist Approaches
General Issues > Science and Society
General Issues > Science and Policy
General Issues > Values In Science
Date: 6 March 2012
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9040

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item