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Tainted

How Philosophy of Science Can Expose Bad Science

Kristin Shrader-Frechette author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:6th Nov '14

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Tainted cover

Three-fourths of scientific research in the United States is funded by special interests. Many of these groups have specific practical goals, such as developing pharmaceuticals or establishing that a pollutant causes only minimal harm. For groups with financial conflicts of interest, their scientific findings often can be deeply flawed. To uncover and assess these scientific flaws, award-winning biologist and philosopher of science Kristin Shrader-Frechette uses the analytical tools of classic philosophy of science. She identifies and evaluates the concepts, data, inferences, methods, models, and conclusions of science tainted by the influence of special interests. As a result, she challenges accepted scientific findings regarding risks such as chemical toxins and carcinogens, ionizing radiation, pesticides, hazardous-waste disposal, development of environmentally sensitive lands, threats to endangered species, and less-protective standards for workplace-pollution exposure. In so doing, she dissects the science on which many contemporary scientific controversies turn. Demonstrating and advocating "liberation science," she shows how practical, logical, methodological, and ethical evaluations of science can both improve its quality and credibility -- and protect people from harm caused by flawed science, such as underestimates of cancers caused by bovine growth hormones, cell phones, fracking, or high-voltage wires. This book is both an in-depth look at the unreliable scientific findings at the root of contemporary debates in biochemistry, ecology, economics, hydrogeology, physics, and zoology -- and a call to action for scientists, philosophers of science, and all citizens.

Part of the Environmental Ethics and Science Policy series, this book will be valuable for general science, legal, and public policy collections. Recommended. * Choice *
... it is hard to find anyone who has done more to apply philosophy of science to correct injustice than Shrader-Frechette. This book gathers together the fruits of her admirable intellectual and practical efforts over several decades, and gives them a unifying narrative capable of inspiring other philosophers of science to use their skills where they are urgently needed. For this it deserves considerable praise. * Anna Alexandrova, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science *
This book shows that practical philosophy of science is not only possible but also necessary if scientific research is to serve social needs. Using the tools of science and philosophy of science, of which she is a master, Shrader-Frechette examines scores of cases to demonstrate how science often has been used to mislead * but should be used to guidepublic policy.Mark Sagoff, Professor of Philosophy, George Mason University *
Shrader-Frechette exhibits her mastery of multiple disciplines by applying the tools of philosophy and logic to examine 'science in practice.' She skillfully exposes flaws and unexamined assumptions in scientific claims that have impeded the advancement of human health and welfare. * Sheldon Krimsky, Professor of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University *
Shrader-Frechette argues effectively that 'neutrality is not objectivity' in either science or philosophy. She equips the reader to use rational, even-handed analysis to expose the kinds of poor science used to justify public harm for private benefit. The examples are compelling, drawn from a wide range of contemporary and historical issues. An accessible battle manual in the war against 'special interest science' and for the restoration of rationality in public discourse on science. * Colleen F. Moore, Professor Emerita, University of Wisconsin-Madison *
Kristin Shrader-Frechette discusses how science should be conducted so that it preserves its integrity in the face of pressures from corporate and government interests and, at the same time, contributes to human welfare. The book provides a veritable guide for those perplexed by the claims and counter-claims regularly made in the name of science and offers clear guidelines about how to detect and counter them. * Hugh Lacey, Scheuer Family Professor of Philosophy Emeritus and Senior Research Scholar, Swarthmore College *
Kristin Shrader-Frechette, arguably the leading contemporary philosopher of science, bridges the gap between theoretical aspects and the necessity of viewing the philosophy of science as practiced in the real world in rigorous, analytic, humanistic, and justice-promoting terms. A must-read for anyone concerned with advancing science in the public interest and countering attacks on the integrity of science and the corruption of science by self-interest. * Nicholas A. Ashford, Professor of Technology and Policy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology *

ISBN: 9780199396412

Dimensions: 160mm x 236mm x 28mm

Weight: 544g

306 pages