180004 SE Values in Science (2020S)

The seminar includes a general introduction to the distinction between epistemic and non-epistemic values and the different roles that values can legitimately play in science. The seminar covers four themes: questions concerning the priority of epistemic values (Steel 2017; Brown 2017); the inductive risk argument (Douglas 2017; Betz 2017); the social value management ideal (Rolin 2017; Intemann 2017); and the distinction between epistemic and non-epistemic values (Lacey 2017; Rooney 2017).
Learning Outcomes: The participants understand what is meant by the value-free ideal of science, and they are prepared to discuss arguments against and for the value-free ideal. They are familiar with normative approaches that are meant to replace the value-free ideal, such as Helen Longino’s social value management ideal, Miriam Solomon’s social empiricism, Philip Kitcher’s well-ordered science and Janet Kourany’s ideal of socially responsible science