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Ontological pluralism and social values
1Philosophy Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
|March 11, 2024
Summary
Philosophers debate using social values in scientific classification. This paper argues that while choosing which taxonomy to use can involve social values, determining a valid taxonomy should not.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Science
- Epistemology
- Scientific Reasoning
Background:
- Emerging consensus suggests non-epistemic values should influence scientific reasoning.
- Recent focus on the role of values in scientific classification and taxonomy.
- Argument that ontological or taxonomic choices should be guided by social values.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine the "argument from ontological choice" regarding social values in taxonomy.
- To distinguish between determining the validity of a taxonomic scheme and choosing which to deploy.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the notion of "choice" in ontological and taxonomic decisions.
- Distinguishing between the validity of a taxonomic scheme and its contextual application.
Main Results:
- The "argument from ontological choice" equivocates on the meaning of "choice."
- Deciding which taxonomic scheme to deploy can be influenced by social values.
- Determining the validity of a taxonomic scheme should not be based on social values.
Conclusions:
- Social values have a limited role in scientific classification, specifically in deployment, not validity.
- The validity of a scientific taxonomy should be determined by epistemic criteria, not social values.
- Clarifying the role of values in scientific reasoning is crucial for robust taxonomy.
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