Political philosophy of experimentation.

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Science
• Political Philosophy
• Science and Technology Studies

Background:

• Mainstream Anglophone philosophy of science prioritizes epistemology over political questions.
• Experimentation inherently involves intervention in the world, raising political concerns.
• Existing scholarship on the political philosophy of experimentation has often been marginalized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To articulate the contours of a political philosophy of experimentation.
• To demonstrate that such a philosophy already exists but is often rendered invisible.
• To argue for the politicization of the philosophy of science through the lens of experimentation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of key works by political philosophers of experimentation (Rouse, Radder, Hottois, Ravetz).
• Systematic argument for the inherently political nature of the philosophy of experimentation.
• Mapping central questions within this field, including politics of interaction, organization, and the role of the philosopher.

Main Results:

• A political philosophy of experimentation is identified and explicated.
• Experimentation fundamentally transforms epistemological concerns into political ones.
• Key areas of inquiry include science-society interaction, science organization, and the philosopher's activist role.

Conclusions:

• The philosophy of science must engage with political questions, particularly concerning experimentation.
• Experimentation necessitates a framework that addresses the societal implications of scientific intervention.
• Future research should explore the politics of interaction, organization, and the philosopher's role in shaping science.