Beyond “Bad Science”: Skeptical Reflections on the Value-Freedom of Scientific Inquiry

It is often implied, suggested, or presupposed that and values are rather like oil and waterdistinct sorts of things that are not expected to mix. The relation of values to either does not exist or is highly problematic. Without denying the problematic nature of this relation-and with the hope of clarifying or beginning to clarify itI will suggest in this essay another way of thinking about some of the issues included under the rubric of science and values. Loren Graham, in his book Between Science and Values,' has addressed the impact on and relevance to human cultural and personal values of twentieth-century scientific theory. I shall, in this essay, instead raise some questions concerning the reverse relation: how do human cultural and personal values relate to scientific practice (and, indirectly, to the results of that practice). I will not defend any particular theses about the integrity and autonomy of from social and other values or about the lack thereof, but do seek to foster some skepticism toward conventional understanding of these attributes.