No one solution to the "new demarcation problem"?: A view from the trenches.

Area of Science:

• Science and Public Policy
• Environmental Science
• Health Policy

Background:

• The new demarcation problem concerns identifying illegitimate values in scientific inquiry.
• Existing approaches may be insufficient due to diverse contexts and audiences in science advice.
• A nuanced approach is needed to assess the legitimacy of values in scientific work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map distinct manifestations of the new demarcation problem in environmental and health policymaking over the past fifty years.
• To analyze the divergent features of these manifestations in assessing illegitimate values in scientific work.
• To propose a context-dependent strategy for addressing the new demarcation problem.

Main Methods:

• Mapping of manifestations of the new demarcation problem in policy contexts.
• Analysis of divergent features concerning the assessment of illegitimate values.
• Case study examination of environmental and health policymaking.

Main Results:

• Identified two distinct manifestations of the new demarcation problem in policy contexts.
• The first involves alerting the public to embedded values in scientific advice that diverge from policy preferences.
• The second involves locating ends-oriented or preference biases that compromise research reliability.

Conclusions:

• A single strategy for the new demarcation problem is inadequate.
• Splitting challenges into distinct categories based on audience and policy context is crucial.
• Assessing illegitimate values requires consideration of differing audiences and policy contexts for greater analytical progress.