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Bias as an epistemic notion
1Aarhus University, School of Culture and Society, Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas, Jens Christian Skous Vej 7, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
|December 27, 2021
Summary
Distinguishing biased from value-laden science requires redefining bias. The study proposes an epistemic notion of bias, focusing on deviations from best practices rather than truth, allowing for legitimate value-laden yet unbiased research.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Science
- Epistemology
- Sociology of Science
Background:
- The ideal of value-free science is increasingly challenged.
- Distinguishing legitimate value-laden science from problematic bias is a key issue.
- Existing definitions of bias often rely on an unattainable ideal of impartiality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the
- new demarcation problem
- by proposing a revised understanding of scientific bias.
Main Methods:
- Differentiating between narrow (deviation from truth) and wide (any tendency) senses of bias.
- Introducing an ontological notion of bias (deviation from impartial ideal).
- Proposing an epistemic notion of bias (deviation from current best practice).
Main Results:
- Bias is redefined as a deviation from current best practice, not necessarily from truth.
- Reasons for suspecting bias are linked to a lack of responsiveness to community standards and discourse.
- This redefinition allows for value-laden research to be considered unbiased.
Conclusions:
- The epistemic notion of bias offers a more practical framework for evaluating science.
- Bias is context- and time-dependent, reflecting evolving scientific standards.
- This approach accommodates the role of values in science without compromising epistemic integrity.
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