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

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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.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Elliott, Kevin ke@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

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