The new demarcation problem

There is now a general consensus amongst philosophers in the values in science literature that values necessarily play a role in core areas of scientific inquiry. We argue that attention should now be turned from debating the value-free ideal to delineating legitimate from illegitimate influences of values in science, a project we dub The New Demarcation Problem. First, we review past attempts to demarcate the uses of values and propose a categorization of the strategies by where they seek to draw legitimacy from. Next, we propose a set of desiderata for what we take to be a satisfactory solution and present a case study where conflicting sets of values clearly impinge on science, but where the legitimacy of their influence is ambiguous. We use these desiderata and the case study to illustrate what we take to be the strengths and weaknesses of current strategies. To be clear, our goal is not to answer the question we pose, but to articulate a framework within which a solution can be judged.

Automated summary

The article discusses the role of values in scientific research and proposes the "New Demarcation Problem" project to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate influences of values in science. By reviewing past attempts, proposing criteria for a satisfactory solution, and presenting a case study, the strengths and weaknesses of current strategies are illustrated.