Ward, Zina B. and Creel, Kathleen A. (2024) To Hedge or Not to Hedge: Scientific Claims and Public Justification. [Preprint]

Preview

Text Preprint.pdf Download (291kB) | Preview

Abstract

Scientific hedges are communicative devices used to qualify and weaken scientific claims. Gregor Betz (2013) has argued – unconvincingly, we think – that hedging can rescue the value-free ideal for science. Nevertheless, Betz is onto something when he suggests there are political principles that recommend scientists hedge public-facing claims. In this paper, we recast this suggestion using the notion of public justification. We formulate and reject a Rawlsian argument that locates the justification for hedging in its ability to forge consensus. On our alternative proposal, hedging is often justified because it renders scientific claims as publicly accessible reasons.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Ward, Zina B. zina.b.ward@gmail.com 0000-0003-0160-6656 Creel, Kathleen A. kac284@pitt.edu 0000-0001-7371-2680
Keywords:	values in science; hedging; public justification; value-free ideal; Rawls; scientific communication; science-policy interface
Subjects:	General Issues > Ethical Issues General Issues > Science and Society General Issues > Science and Policy General Issues > Values In Science
Depositing User:	Zina B. Ward
Date Deposited:	05 May 2024 08:35
Last Modified:	05 May 2024 08:35
Item ID:	23357
Subjects:	General Issues > Ethical Issues General Issues > Science and Society General Issues > Science and Policy General Issues > Values In Science
Date:	2024
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23357

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item