Science and Ethics

Philosophy of science used to be identified with the logical and methodological analysis of scientific theories, and any allusion to values was considered as a deplorable intromission in a philosophical investigation that should remain strictly epistemological. As a reaction against this view, an opposite «sociological» approach downplayed the usual virtues of scientific knowledge (such as logical rigor and empirical adequacy) as artificial imageries that cover the actual nature of science, that is a social product submitted to all the kinds of social conditionings and compromises. A more balanced view is badly needed today, when technoscience is permeating all aspects of our civilization and wise persons understand that we cannot survive without using science and technology but at the same time we need to steer their development in view of the real benefit of humankind. We must investigate how science, technology and values are legitimately interconnected and, in particular, how the discourses of ethics, politics and religion can enter a fruitful dialogue with science. The essays presented in this volume offer a valuable contribution to this interdisciplinary study.

Autorentext

The Editors: Evandro Agazzi has received a double education in philosophy and science, and has been professor of philosophical disciplines as well as of scientific disciplines at various universities in Europe and America. He was President of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies, of the International Institute of Philosophy, and is the current President of the International Academy of Philosophy of Science. He has authored or edited 70 volumes and published more than 700 scientific papers. Fabio Minazzi is Professor of Philosophy at the University of the Salento (Lecce) and has worked especially in the fields of philosophy of science, history of modern and contemporary philosophy. He has authored or edited about 70 volumes and published more than 150 scientific papers.

Inhalt

Contents: Evandro Agazzi/Fabio Minazzi : Introduction. Les contextes axiologiques de la science Oscar Luigi Scàlfaro: Inaugural Lecture. Significance and Value of Peace for Contemporary World Evandro Agazzi : Pourquoi une philosophie des sciences ne peut se réduire à une épistémologie des sciences Javier Echeverría Ezponda/Armando Menéndez Viso: Axiology of Scientific Activity. From a Formal Point of View Fabio Minazzi: The Axiological Dimension of Science Alberto Cordero: Pluralism, Scientific Values, and the Value of Science Mariano Artigas: Values in Science Jan Faye: The Role of Cognitive Values in the Shaping of Scientific Rationality Paul Weingartner: The Places of Values in Science Ramón Queraltó: Science as Technoscience. Values and their Measurement Hervé Barreau: Ethics in Face of Science and in Face of Research Peter Kemp : Les valeurs éthiques dans les sciences médicales Valentin Bazhanov: Proof as an Ethical Procedure Craig Dilworth: The Vicious Circle Principle and the Biological Basis of Morals Otto Hermann Pesch: Creation Belief and Natural Science. A Systematic Theological Approach Vassilis Saroglou: Religion and Psychology of Values. «Universals» and Changes Jean-Marie Van Cangh: Evangelical Values and the Foundations of Science Stuart Gorge Hall: Value and Truth in The Fathers. Is There a Patristic Axiology?