Elliott, Kevin (2024) Characterizing the Value-Free Ideal: From a Dichotomy to a Multiplicity. [Preprint]
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Abstract
Despite the centrality of the value-free ideal (VFI) for the recent literature on values and science, I argue in this chapter that it has not been adequately scrutinized. Although most introductions to the field have formulated it in roughly the same way that Douglas (2009) did, there are other plausible ways that one might characterize it. I suggest that one can arrive at different characterizations of the VFI depending on how one interprets values, what one means by freedom from value influences, and what kind of an ideal one is putting forward. On the basis of this analysis, I conclude that it would be better to formulate the VFI not in terms of a single characterization but rather in terms of a multiplicity of distinct but related characterizations. This shift in focus has at least two significant benefits. First, it softens the opposition that has developed between proponents and opponents of the VFI. Second, it can potentially help to broaden research on the topic of values and science. The chapter concludes that those studying the topic of values and science would do well to reflect more deeply on when it does or does not make sense to use the VFI as their central framing topic or principle.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Keywords: | value-free ideal; values and science; cognitive attitudes; non-epistemic values; science and society; science policy | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Ethical Issues General Issues > Science and Society General Issues > Science and Policy General Issues > Values In Science |
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| Depositing User: | Kevin Elliott | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 12 Mar 2024 03:51 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 12 Mar 2024 03:51 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 23185 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Ethical Issues General Issues > Science and Society General Issues > Science and Policy General Issues > Values In Science |
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| Date: | 10 March 2024 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23185 |
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