Course Identification

This class will explore the topic of values in science. Both objectivity and impartiality are known to be the pillars of the scientific method. These heuristics hold the promise of valid and trustworthy scientific knowledge. This way of thinking motivates science as a “value-free” endeavor regarding social, political, and ethical values; this view is still held by many scientists today. However, in the last few decades, it has come under attack by many philosophers of science, particularly feminist philosophers of science. Following such criticism, many philosophers take a positive turn seeking to defend proper roles for values in science to maintain its general framework of objectivity and impartiality. 

Following closely with readings from traditional and most recent philosophical discussions of science and value, we will first examine various challenges to the value-free ideal in science. Then, examine arguments that seek to defend proper (and improper) roles for values in science.

The goals of this course

1. Introduce some of the major issues concerning science and values.
2. Encourage the students to critically examine their own beliefs as well as the beliefs of others regarding the connections of values and science.
3. Provide the students the opportunity to discuss, both in class and in a more sustained written form, their ideas, and arguments concerning important issues in the philosophy of science and values.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Become familiar with key issues and debates in the philosophical debate of science and values;
• Acquire tools, such as argument analysis and assumption detection, for the evaluation of philosophical claims about the sciences
• Develop abilities to raise philosophical questions about particular scientific claims or about scientific inquiry in general.
• Develop abilities to raise philosophical questions about particular scientific claims and inquiry in their chosen scientific field of study.