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Uses of Value Judgments in Science: A General Argument, with Lessons from a Case Study of Feminist Research on Divorce

Critical Realism, History, and Philosophy in the Social Sciences

ISBN: 978-1-78756-604-0, eISBN: 978-1-78756-603-3

Publication date: 27 July 2018

Abstract

The underdetermination argument establishes that scientists may use political values to guide inquiry, without providing criteria for distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate guidance. This chapter supplies such criteria. Analysis of the confused arguments against value-laden science reveals the fundamental criterion of illegitimate guidance: when value judgments operate to drive inquiry to a predetermined conclusion. A case study of feminist research on divorce reveals numerous legitimate ways that values can guide science without violating this standard.

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Acknowledgements

Acknowledgment

I thank Abigail Stewart and the referees of Hypatia for helpful thoughts on this chapter.

Citation

Anderson, E. (2018), "Uses of Value Judgments in Science: A General Argument, with Lessons from a Case Study of Feminist Research on Divorce ", Critical Realism, History, and Philosophy in the Social Sciences (Political Power and Social Theory, Vol. 34), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 47-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0198-871920180000034003

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © John Wiley and Sons