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Scientists, Democracy and Society

A Community of Inquirers

  • Examines the relationships between science and democracy from an explicitly pragmatist perspective
  • Argues that scientists and laypeople form a single community of inquiry, which aims at the truth
  • Features many examples and case-studies

Part of the book series: Logic, Argumentation & Reasoning (LARI, volume 16)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiv
  2. Concepts, Values, and Scientific Measurements

    • Pierluigi Barrotta
    Pages 21-47
  3. Values and Inductive Risk

    • Pierluigi Barrotta
    Pages 49-82
  4. Scientific Research and Truth

    • Pierluigi Barrotta
    Pages 83-106
  5. Science and Democracy

    • Pierluigi Barrotta
    Pages 145-180
  6. Erratum to: Index

    • Pierluigi Barrotta
    Pages E1-E3
  7. Back Matter

    Pages 181-199

About this book

This monograph examines the relationship between science and democracy. The author argues that there is no clear-cut division between science and the rest of society. Rather, scientists and laypeople form a single community of inquiry, which aims at the truth.

To defend his theory, the author shows that science and society are both heterogeneous and fragmented. They display variable and shifting alliances between components. He also explains how information flow between science and society is bi-directional through “transactional” processes. In other words, science and society mutually define themselves. The author also explains how science is both objective and laden with values.

Coverage includes a wide range of topics, such as: the ideal of value-free science, the is/ought divide, “thick terms” and the language of science, inductive risk, the dichotomy between pure science and applied science, constructivism and the philosophy of risk. It also looks at the concepts oftruth and objectivity, the autonomy of science, moral and social inquiry, perfectionism and democracy, and the role of experts in democratic societies.

The style is philosophical, but the book features many examples and case-studies. It will appeal to philosophers of science, those in science and technology studies as well as interested general readers.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Pierluigi Barrotta

About the author

Pierluigi Barrotta (b. 1958) is full Professor of Philosophy of Science and Director of the Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge at the University of Pisa. He has published in history and philosophy of science, the epistemology of economics and the social sciences, the epistemology of environmental sciences, and the dialectical rationality in science. He is currently carrying out research on the relationships between science and democracy.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access