Intricacies in Steering the Direction of Science

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/nocsi.v0i6.95878

Keywords:

open science, Robert K. Merton, Covid 19, research values, scientific integrity, research assessment

Abstract

René von Schomberg’s article (von Schomberg, 2024) makes an invigorating case for the co-responsibility of societal actors to give direction to the pursuit of science. In this reply, I wish to endorse his position as a much-needed reconceptualisation in the face of societal challenges and internal scientific developments. At the same time, I urge that there remain theoretical and practical intricacies in attempting to steer science. 

Author Biography

Lukas Fuchs, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Eindhoven

Philosopher of Political Economy, and a Research Fellow in the Philosophy & Ethics Group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Netherlands. His research project, “Understanding Responsibility in the Ecosystems of Technical Universities,” examines how universities respond to grand social challenges, interact with government policy, and contribute to the public good.

References

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Merton, R. K. (1938). Science and the social order. Philosophy of science, 5(3), 321-337.

Mirowski, P. (2011). Science-mart: privatizing American science. Harvard University Press.

Slaughter, S., & Rhoades, G. (2004). Academic capitalism and the new economy: Markets, state, and higher education. John Hopkins University Press.

Von Humboldt, W. (2019). On the Internal and External Organization of the Higher Scientific Institutions in Berlin. English translation by Thomas Dunlap. https://ghdi.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/16_ScienceandEducation_Doc.4_ENGLISHxxxTRANS.pdf

Von Schomberg, R. (2013). A vision of responsible research and innovation. In Owen, R. et al. (eds.), Responsible innovation: Managing the responsible emergence of science and innovation in society (p. 51-74). Wiley.

Von Schomberg, R. (2024). Towards a New Ethos of Science or a Reform of the Institution of Science? Merton Revisited and the Prospects of Institutionalizing the Research Values of Openness and Mutual Responsiveness. NOvation – Critical Studies of Innovation, VI (2024), pp. 1-33.

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Published

2024-06-25

How to Cite

Fuchs, L. (2024). Intricacies in Steering the Direction of Science. NOvation - Critical Studies of Innovation, (6), 68–76. https://doi.org/10.5380/nocsi.v0i6.95878

Issue

No. 6 (2024): Towards a New Ethos of Science or a Reform of the Institution of Science?

Section

Reviews

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