The integration of science, public opinion, and democracy: John Dewey?s and Heather Douglas? contributions to contemporary discussion

LIVIO MATTAROLLO

PRINCIPIA

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Lugar: Florianopolis; Año: 2021 vol. 25 p. 335 - 357

1414-4247

Within the debate on thevalue-free science ideal, the relation between scientific inquiries andcitizenry has been largely considered. According to Heather Douglas, given thatunder certain circumstances moral and social values play a legitimate role inscience, two crucial questions are what and whose values shouldthey be. Douglas presents an analytic-deliberative model to include and promotepublic participation in science and claims that such a model transcends the debatesover which democratic ideal should we pursue. However, considering thecomplexities of the very idea of democracy as well as the different ways tosupport the inclusion of the public into science, some extra analysis isneeded. The purpose of this article is to offer a theoretical framework toDouglas? proposal by referring to John Dewey´s ideas about inquiry, publicopinion, and democracy. Following Dewey, it is pointed out that at a normativelevel scientific inquiry as a solving-problem practice and democracy asconjoint communicated experience shapes each other by means of a scientificallyinformed public opinion. To conclude, it is claimed that Deweyan ideas offercoherent and solid philosophical grounds to Douglas? proposal. In addition, therelevance of pragmatism for contemporary discussions on science, values andpolitics is highlighted.