Science, Policy, and the Value-Free Ideal
"Science, Policy, and the Value-Free Idealis an important contribution to the debate over science and values, and its account of value-laden science will be of interest to philosophers concerned with policy, scientific objectivity, and the social relevance of philosophy of science. A welcome invitation for philosophers of science to engage more fully with policy issues, a too-often neglected aspect of scientific practice."—Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews ”Douglas has produced a valuable book that should be of interest not only to philosophers but also to historians, sociologists, policy makers, and practicing scientists. . .  Douglas has also raised a number of important issues that scholars working in science studies will want to explore further.”—Isis “A wonderfully evenhanded argument for the impossibility of the ‘value-free ideal’ in science. Highly recommended.”—Choice“Clearly written, a pleasure to read.”—Metapsychology“Occupies a unique niche bridging philosophy and risk assessment. Everyone involved in providing and using scientific advice, and in doing risk analysis in general, would benefit from thinking about the issues and arguments presented in the book.”—Risk Analysis“A thought-provoking book for all readers interested in science studies, including philosophy, history, and sociology of science. It is also highly recommended for those who study or work in the decision oriented sciences, an activity that is becoming increasingly relevant in science and politics in contemporary societies.”—Science and Education“Science, Policy, and the Value-Free Idealis a welcome addition  to the growing literature on the role of values in science. She clearly  articulates at least one way in which values do play a legitimate,  though indirect, role in science (in risk assessment).  She correctly  diagnoses some important reasons why there is resistance to recognizing  this, and makes it clear why acknowledging the role of values explicitly  can be important for using science to make better policy decisions.”—Sharon Crasnow, Riverside Community College“An admirable and exciting book. . . . a useful starting point for thinking through such issues.”—S. John/Studies in History and Philosophy of Science