Expertise and Inauthentic Scientific Controversies: What You Need to Know to Judge the Authenticity of Policy-Relevant Scientific Controversies

doi:https://doi.org/10.31274/sciencecommunication-180809-90

Open AccessArticle10.31274/sciencecommunication-180809-90

Expertise and Inauthentic Scientific Controversies: What You Need to Know to Judge the Authenticity of Policy-Relevant Scientific Controversies

Martin Weinel-2012-01-01-Iowa State University Summer Symposium on Science Communication

TL;DRAbstract

The paper explores how non-experts can assess whether a policy-relevant technical or scientific issue is subject of a genuine controversy amongst experts or not. A criteria-based approach is suggested. While a number of criteria are introduced, the focus is on the expertise that one needs to employ the criteria appropriately. It is suggested that this expertise, which is called 'sociological discrimination' and which refers to an understanding of the nature of science, is an essential prerequisite for making adequate authenticity judgements.

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The paper explores how non-experts can assess whether a policy-relevant technical or scientific issue is subject of a genuine controversy amongst experts or not. A criteria-based approach is suggested. While a number of criteria are introduced, the focus is on the expertise that one needs to employ the criteria appropriately. It is suggested that this expertise, which is called 'sociological discrimination' and which refers to an understanding of the nature of science, is an essential prerequisite for making adequate authenticity judgements.

Keywords

Computer scienceEpistemologyEngineering ethicsPolitical scienceData sciencePhilosophyEngineering

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