1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910824844203321

Autore

Kitcher Philip <1947->

Titolo

Science, truth, and democracy / / Philip Kitcher

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Oxford ; ; New York, : Oxford University Press, 2001

ISBN

1-282-23516-8

0-19-803335-4

1-60256-714-X

Edizione

[1st ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (234 pages)

Collana

Oxford studies in philosophy of science

Disciplina

501

Soggetti

Science - Social aspects

Science - Philosophy

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Nota di contenuto

Unacceptable images -- The world as we find it -- The ideal of objectivity -- The world as we make it -- Mapping reality -- Scientific significance -- The myth of purity -- Constraints on free inquiry -- Organizing inquiry -- Well-ordered science -- Elitism, democracy, and science policy -- Subversive truth and ideals of progress -- The Luddites' laments -- Research in an imperfect world.

Sommario/riassunto

"Closely examining some of our most deeply held notions about the role of science, distinguished philosopher Philip Kitcher engages the heated debate about how scientific knowledge should be pursued and employed. There currently exists a sharp divide between the purists who believe that the pursuit of scientific knowledge is always valuable and necessary and those who believe that it invariably serves the interests of the powerful. Kitcher rejects both perspectives, painting a pragmatic portrait of the sciences that allows for the possibility of scientific truth but nonetheless permits social consensus to determine which avenues to investigate."--Jacket.