Abstract
The concepts value-free and value-laden are introduced and clearly distinguished. It is argued that science could and should be value-free, while it is by necessity value-laden.
The feminist critique that some research is driven by more or less hidden assumptions devaluating women is briefly discussed and exemplified. Another feminist critique, that concept formation is gender biased and tacitly presupposes that modern western cultural traits are universal biological traits, is also discussed. Finally, the core norms in research ethics are presented.
Where I benefit, that is where I place my faith.
Proverb
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Quine’s hostiliy to the distinction between essential and contingent properties is that it depends on how we describe things and most things can be described in many ways. So the distinction is not objective, it varies depending on which the description the speaker thinks most appropriate.
Further Reading
Bruun, H. H. (2007). Science, values and politics in Max Weber’s methodology: New expanded edition. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Harding, S. (1991). Whose science? Whose knowledge? Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
Longino, H. (1990). Science as social knowledge. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Merton, R. (1973). The normative structure of science. In The sociology of science (pp. 267–278). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Weber, M. (2011). Methodology of social sciences. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.
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Johansson, LG. (2016). Science and Values. In: Philosophy of Science for Scientists. Springer Undergraduate Texts in Philosophy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26551-3_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26551-3_13
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