indeed scientists and technologists, especially economists, set much of the agenda by which the future is played out, and I think they do, then the student of scientific methodology and public ethics has at least three options.
He can embrace certain scientific methods and the value they hold for social decisionmaking, much as Milton Friedman has accepted neoclassical econom ics, Or, he can condemn them, regardless of their value, much as Stuart Hampshire has rejected riskcostbenefit analysis RCBA, Finally, he can critically assess these scientific methods and attempt to provide solutions to the problems he has uncovered, As a philosopher of science seeking the middle path between uncritical acceptance and extremist rejection of the economic methods used in policy analysis, I have tried to avoid the charge of being "anti science.
" Fred Hapgood, in response to my presentation at a recent Boston Colloquium for the Philosophy of Science, said that my arguments "felt like" a call for rejection of the methods of riskcostbenefit analysis.
Not so, as Chapter Two of this volume should make eminently clear, All my criticisms are construc tive ones, and the flaws in economic methodology which I address are uncovered for the purpose of suggesting means of making good techniques better.
Likewise, although
I criticize the economic methodology by which many technology assessments TA's and environmentalimpact analyses EIA's have been used to justify public projects, it is wrong to conclude that I am antitechnology.
" This is one of my favorite books, It is an encyclopedic coverage of every different way in how to approach the issue, Of particular note is that the ethics must be in relation to scientific facts to have any meaning, and this book shows how it is done, Kristin Shrader Frechette bornis ONeill Family Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Philosophy, at the University of Notre Dame, She has previously held senior professorships at the University of California and the University of Florida, Most of Shrader Frechettes research work analyzes the ethical problems in risk assessment, public health, or environmental justice especially those related to radiological, ecological, and energy related risks.
Shrader Frechette has received the World Technology Award, the Global Citizenship Award, and the Catholic Digest named her one ofHeroes for the US and the World, from Wikipedia Kristin Shrader Frechette bornis O'Neill Family Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Philosophy, at the University of Notre Dame, She has previously held senior professorships at the University of California and the University of Florida, Most of Shrader Frechette's research work analyzes the ethical problems in risk assessment, public health, or environmental justice especially those related to radiological, ecological, and energy related risks.
Shrader Frechette has received the World Technology Award, the Global Citizenship Award, and the Catholic Digest named her one of"Heroes for the US and the World", from Wikipedia sitelink.