Who knows? Uncertainty, controversy and the nature of science
by Linda Hadfield
Interdisciplinary Environmental Review (IER), Vol. 2, No. 2, 2000

Abstract: Contemporary debates in the philosophy of science acknowledge that scientific thinking is entering a ''post-normal'' phase. Practical and ethical considerations limit the ability of scientists to provide simple answers to questions which are complicated in terms of both factual and value judgements. However, ''Science'' is still expected to give ''correct'' and unambiguous answers for policy and decision making. The paper considers the recent controversy in the UK over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (''mad cow disease''), discusses the social contexts surrounding the controversy, and practical issues related to the conduct of science, concluding that the results of science cannot be viewed in isolation from the social relationships in which they are produced.

Online publication date: Mon, 13-May-2013

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the Interdisciplinary Environmental Review (IER):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com