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Values in science and risk assessment.

Birgitte Wandall1

  • 1Philosophy Unit, Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 78B, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. birgitte.wandall@infra.kth.se

Toxicology Letters
|August 28, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Scientific practice inherently involves value judgments. This study explores how epistemic values, crucial for pure science, must be supplemented for robust risk assessment, emphasizing transparency and justification.

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Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Risk Assessment Methodology

Background:

  • Scientific practice is widely acknowledged to incorporate value judgments.
  • Understanding the role of values is crucial for scientific integrity and decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the concepts of value judgments in science and risk assessment.
  • To explain the necessity of values in scientific practice and risk assessment.
  • To propose how epistemic values can be supplemented for effective risk assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of value judgments in science.
  • Distinction between the aims of pure science and risk assessment.
  • Identification and evaluation of epistemic values.

Main Results:

  • Values are an inherent and necessary component of both science and risk assessment.
  • Epistemic values, while foundational for pure science, are insufficient for risk assessment.
  • Risk assessment requires a supplementation of epistemic values to align with its specific aims.

Conclusions:

  • Risk assessment is as value-laden as pure science.
  • Risk assessors must be aware of, justify, and ensure transparency regarding the values and assumptions used.
  • Explicit acknowledgment of values is critical for credible risk assessment.

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