Science, philosophy, and society: some recent books

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Science
• Ethics in Science
• Natural Sciences (Biology, Medicine)

Background:

• Recent literature on philosophical and ethical challenges in pure (biology) and applied (medicine) sciences.
• Critique of universal 'scientific methods' and 'objective reality' approaches.
• Recognition of science as a societal activity addressing complex problems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze philosophical and ethical issues in contemporary natural sciences.
• To propose a more coherent portrayal of science as a problem-solving endeavor.
• To evaluate the limitations of universalist and objectivist perspectives on science.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of recent books on philosophy and ethics in science.
• Examination of concrete scientific history and social interplay.
• Discussion of the autonomy and internal momentum of scientific inquiry.

Main Results:

• Science is best understood as a set of activities societies use to tackle evolving practical, empirical, and conceptual problems.
• Historical and social analyses are more insightful than universal method or objectivity claims.
• Scientists possess autonomy, and scientific ideas have intrinsic momentum.

Conclusions:

• A nuanced view of science requires understanding its historical development and social context.
• Oversimplified models of science fail to capture its dynamic and autonomous nature.
• Interplay between science and society shapes scientific progress, alongside internal scientific drivers.