Cailin O’Connor - Closing the Loop on Social Influence in Science

Cailin O’Connor

The Center for Philosophy of Science invites you to our Featured Former Fellow online lecture presented by:   

Featured Former Fellow:   Cailin O’Connor

Tuesday, September 22nd @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST

Title:  Closing the Loop on Social Influence in Science

Abstract: 

The prevalence of social influence in science is widely documented.  But this influence is not one-sided.  Social beliefs and values shape science, and at the same time are shaped by scientific findings.  This mutual influence raises the possibility of dynamical interplay between science and society.  But while this possibility has been mentioned numerous times in the literature, there is relatively little work attempting to analyze and outline how this mutual influence might work.  This talk argues that two-way influence between science and society is promiscuous, occurring via a wide range of mechanisms that start with both values and related cultural background beliefs, and influence both values and related cultural background beliefs. I’ll discuss three sorts of general patterns at play—positive feedback, polarizing feedback, and amplification.

This talk will be available online only:

Zoom:   

 YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.