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Scientific Disagreements, Fast Science and Higher-Order Evidence
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Scientific Disagreements, Fast Science and Higher-Order Evidence

Daniel C. Friedman and Dunja Seselja
Philosophy of science, Vol.90(4), pp.937-957
10/01/2023
DOI: 10.1017/psa.2023.83
url
https://doi.org/10.1017/psa.2023.83View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Scientific disagreements are an important catalyst for scientific progress. But what happens when scientists disagree amid times of crisis, when we need quick yet reliable policy guidance? In this article, we provide a normative account for how scientists facing disagreement in the context of "fast science" should respond and how policy makers should evaluate such disagreement. Starting from an argumentative, pragma-dialectic account of scientific controversies, we argue for the importance of higher-order evidence (HOE), and we specify desiderata for scientifically relevant HOE. We use our account to analyze the controversy about the aerosol transmission of COVID-19.
Arts & Humanities History & Philosophy Of Science

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