Online: Alexander Reutlinger (LMU Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) | What's Epistemically Wrong with Strategic Science Skepticism?

What's Epistemically Wrong with Strategic Science Skepticism?

Moderator: Iulian Toader

Date: 26/11/2020

Time: 15h00 - 17h00

Plattform: Moodle Collaborate | Talks in Philosophy of Science and Epistemology PSE

Access: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/c8cdeaacf66140a5994605d5fff5cf25

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Abstract:

Strategic science skepticism creates distrust in science. It works by contesting scientific knowledge claims in a public debate to promote the particular political and economic interests of individuals, groups or organizations. For instance, the fossil fuel industry and right-wing populists contest climate science publicly to promote the industry's economic interests and to prevent government regulations. In this talk, I will address the following question: what precisely is epistemically wrong with strategic science skepticism? I will defend an account of epistemic wrongness that draws on two sources from current epistemology of science: (1) theories of empirical confirmation and (2) social epistemology of agreement among scientists.