TOK: Ethics and Science

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why it is/should be value-free...

...and why it isn't/shouldn't be

What did AI think?

What do you think?

Evaluating the question

Is science, or should it be, value-free?

Elise's definition: The rules and standards by which we hold ourselves and the people Oxford languages definition: principles or standards of behaviour; one's judgement of what is important in life Do you agree with this definition?

What do we mean by values?

Science aims to discover facts without personal bias, but how we use and interpret science and its findings can be influenced by our values. So, while the process is neutral, its application may involve personal perspectives. - ChatGPT

What did AI say?

HERE ARE SOME ARGUMENTS WE FOUND DURING OUR RESEARCH:

- Science relies on data and observation, unlike other fields. No matter our values, the data we observe will stay the same - We expect scientists to be objective, that's why we rely on them - Science plays a key role in what we consider an 'enlightened society' - Scientists bringing in their own values could be dangerous (i.e Charles Darwin and eugenics) - Scientists could also be held back by their values, limiting scientific discovery

Why science is/should be value-free?

HERE ARE SOME ARGUMENTS WE FOUND DURING OUR RESEARCH:

- It is impossible for humans to be objective - If having values means establishing what is and isn't important, then how can we carry out scientific observations? - Scientific interpretation in 'saturated with values' - Assuming that science is always objective and therefore truthful could give it too much power - Scientists have a moral responsibility when conducting their experiments

Why science isn't/shouldn't be value-free?

Discuss with the people around you. Do you agree or disagree with the arguments that were presented? What does this question mean to you?

What do you think?

- https://iai.tv/articles/the-myth-of-value-free-science-melanie-challenger-auid-2483 - https://blogs.iu.edu/sciu/2019/05/07/value-free-sci-part-1/ - https://voices.uchicago.edu/pmostajir/2020/10/05/feminist-perspectives-on-science-lecture-2-the-value-free-ideal-of-science/

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