Philip Thonemann (CPNSS): ‘Defending the Value-Free Ideal for Science’

Abstract: The present consensus is that the value-free ideal for science is dead, or at least on life-support. I’ll aim to resurrect or resuscitate it, by showing that the supposedly serious Argument from Inductive Risk is, in its various forms, either wrong, irrelevant, or socially harmful. Of the two remaining arguments, that from Citizenship is critically vague, leaving only that from Standpoints, which requires us to view the patient’s challenges more sympathetically.

Philip Thonemann is a Research Associate at CPNSS.