We always tend to believe in the objectivity and value-neutrality of science and scientific research. However, a question always remains as to how this coincides with reality in a world divided along political, religious, ideological or personal (psychological) lines. I know, sociology has dealt with this problem and has coined the concept of 'intersubjectivity and objectivity'. Can anyone shed some lights on this question.
Kebede Kassa Tsegaye, PhD
St. Mary's University
Science for the sake of science is untenable. Science is but a means to improve humanity's standards - of life, of knowledge. The positivist claim about neutrality has been, luckily, overcome some time ago. Mainstream science is at odds with questions such as inequality, poverty or the destruction of nature, to name but some issues.
We scientists, whether we expressly reckon it or not, pick a side. Hopefully everyone chooses the right side. In muy vie, it means: more and better s hence, more and better information, more and better research. The three playing jointly.
Carlo, thanks for your interesting points. I hope others will come up with more insights.
Kebede
You might approach the question by looking at something like Stephen Pepper's World Hypotheses: A Study in Evidence, a classic in the field. There is an excellent review of this book you can download http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1338844/?page=1
The original reference for the review: J Exp Anal Behav. 1988 Jul; 50(1): 97–111.
doi: 10.1901/jeab.1988.50-97
PMCID: PMC1338844
Finding the philosophical core: A review of Stephen C. Pepper's World Hypotheses: A Study in Evidence1
Steven C. Hayes, Linda J. Hayes, and Hayne W. Reese
In the first moment of cracking out of shell, it would have been a neutral and scientific, but in end of the day, in general scale of outcomes, it would be more political.
Dear Faranack
Thank you for your interesting reflection on science as a process and science as a product. I hope we will hear more from others in due course.
Kebede
Dear Hendrika
The paper you suggested is very useful. I am reading it and I will get back to you with my understanding of it.
Kebede
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Microbiology
- Scientific Research