Value-Free Science?: Purity and Power in Modern Knowledge
Proctor, Robert N.
Sold by Book Booth, Berea, OH, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller since 3 January 2002
Used - Hardcover
Condition: Used - Good
Ships within U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketSold by Book Booth, Berea, OH, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller since 3 January 2002
Condition: Used - Good
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketHighlighting, underlining & notes throughout text; binding tight; minor wesr to dustjacket. 331 pages. Size: 6 1/2" x 9 1/2".
Seller Inventory # S274-059776
Why have scientists shied away from politics, or defended their work as value free? How has the ideal of neutrality come to dominate the world of science? These are some of the central questions that Robert Proctor addresses in his study of the politics of modern science.
Value-Free Science? emphasizes the importance of understanding the political origins and impact of scientific ideas. Proctor lucidly demonstrates how value-neutrality is a reaction to larger political developments, including the use of science by government and industry, the specialization of professional disciplines, and the efforts to stifle intellectual freedoms or to politicize the world of the academy.
The first part of the book traces the origins of value-neutrality prior to the eighteenth century. Plato and Aristotle saw contemplative thought as superior to practical action, and this separation of theory and practice is still invoked today in defense of "neutral science." In the seventeenth century the Baconian search for useful knowledge allowed a new and closer tie between theory and practice, but it also isolated moral knowledge from natural philosophy. Another version of neutrality was introduced by the mechanical conception of the universe, in which the idea of a benevolent, human-centered cosmos was replaced with a "devalorized" view of nature.
The central part of the book explores the exclusion of politics and morals with the emergence of the social sciences. Proctor highlights the case of Germany, where the ideal of value-neutrality was first articulated in modern form by social scientists seeking to attack or defend Marxism, feminism, and other social movements. He traces the rise and fall of positivist ethical and economic theory, showing that arguments for value-free science often mask concrete political maneuvers. Finally, he reviews critiques of science that have been voiced in recent debates over critical issues in agricultural science, military research, health and medicine, and biological determinism.
This provocative book will interest anyone seeking ways to reconcile the ideals of scientific freedom and social responsibility.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Payment accepted via credit card, check/money order, or PayPal. Credit cards accepted via ABEbooks or PayPal ONLY--please do not send us your credit card information, as we have no way of processing it ourselves. If paying via PayPal, please remember to include shipping and handling. Our PayPal account is bookbooth@usa.com.
Checks and money orders are also accepted; please make checks or money orders payable to
Carol Casciani
441 W. Bagley Rd.
#173
Berea OH 44017
International orders must be pay...
If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION
Statutory Right to cancel
You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days for any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, Book Booth, 441 W. Bagley #173, 44017-1351, Berea, Ohio, U.S.A., of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or Book Booth, Berea, Ohio, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of cancellation
The right of cancellation does not apply to:
Model withdrawal form
(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
To: (Book Booth, 441 W. Bagley #173, 44017-1351, Berea, Ohio, U.S.A.)
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),
Ordered on (*)/received on (*)
Name of consumer(s)
Address of consumer(s)
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)
Date
* Delete as appropriate.
Payment accepted via credit card, check/money order, or PayPal. Credit cards accepted via ABEbooks or PayPal ONLY -- please do not send us your credit card information, as we have no way of processing it ourselves. Our PayPal account is bookbooth@usa.com. If paying via PayPal, please remember to include shipping & handling charges. Checks and money orders are also accepted; please make them payable to: C.M. Casciani, 441 W. Bagley Rd. #173, Berea OH 44017. Library and institutional orders welcome; please email us if you require any special handling. International orders must be payable in US dollars. SHIPPING & HANDLING: all books shipped in USA via USPS; Media Mail 7-14 business days for delivery, $4.00 for first book - $1.50 each additional book; or, Priority Mail 2-4 business days for delivery, $6.00 first book - $2.50 each additional book. Returns for reasonable grading of condition; email us prior to return for shipping instructions.
| Order quantity | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 4.40 | £ 9.47 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.