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Science Policy, Ethics, and Economic Methodology

Some Problems of Technology Assessment and Environmental-Impact Analysis

  • Book
  • © 1985

Overview

Authors:
  1. K. S. Shrader-Frechette

    1. Department of Philosophy, University of Florida, USA

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
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  3. General Methodological Problems

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 65-65
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    2. The Retreat from Ethical Analysis

      • K. S. Shrader-Frechette
      Pages 67-105

    3. The Fallacy of Unfinished Business

      • K. S. Shrader-Frechette
      Pages 106-118

  4. Particular Methodological Problems

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 119-119
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    2. RCBA and the Aggregation Assumption

      • K. S. Shrader-Frechette
      Pages 121-151

    3. RCBA and the Assumption of Partial Quantification

      • K. S. Shrader-Frechette
      Pages 152-209

    4. The Problem of Regional Equity

      • K. S. Shrader-Frechette
      Pages 210-258

  5. Steps Towards Solutions

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 259-259
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    2. Ethically Weighted Risk-Cost-Benefit Analysis

      • K. S. Shrader-Frechette
      Pages 261-285

    3. Assessment through Adversary Proceedings

      • K. S. Shrader-Frechette
      Pages 286-315

  6. Back Matter

    Pages 316-321
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Keywords

About this book

If indeed scientists and technologists, especially economists, set much of the agenda by which the future is played out, and I think they do, then the student of scientific methodology and public ethics has at least three options. He can embrace certain scientific methods and the value they hold for social decisionmaking, much as Milton Friedman has accepted neoclassical econom­ ics. Or, he can condemn them, regardless of their value, much as Stuart Hampshire has rejected risk-cost-benefit analysis (RCBA). Finally, he can critically assess these scientific methods and attempt to provide solutions to the problems he has uncovered. As a philosopher of science seeking the middle path between uncritical acceptance and extremist rejection of the economic methods used in policy analysis, I have tried to avoid the charge of being "anti science". Fred Hapgood, in response to my presentation at a recent Boston Colloquium for the Philosophy of Science, said that my arguments "felt like" a call for rejection of the methods of risk-cost-benefit analysis. Not so, as Chapter Two of this volume should make eminently clear. All my criticisms are construc­ tive ones, and the flaws in economic methodology which I address are uncovered for the purpose of suggesting means of making good techniques better. Likewise, although I criticize the economic methodology by which many technology assessments (TA's) and environmental-impact analyses (EIA's) have been used to justify public projects, it is wrong to conclude that I am anti-technology.

Reviews

`...presents what may be the best philosophic defense we have of economic techniques used in policy analysis. Both the friends and foes of these techniques may profitably read this careful, balanced and scholarly book.'
The Philosophical Review

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Philosophy, University of Florida, USA

    K. S. Shrader-Frechette

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Science Policy, Ethics, and Economic Methodology

  • Book Subtitle: Some Problems of Technology Assessment and Environmental-Impact Analysis

  • Authors: K. S. Shrader-Frechette

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6449-5

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland 1985

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-90-277-1806-8Published: 31 December 1984

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-90-277-1845-7Published: 31 December 1984

  • eBook ISBN: 978-94-009-6449-5Published: 06 December 2012

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XVIII, 321

  • Topics: Philosophy of Science, Environmental Management, Economic Policy

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