Philosophy

Contemporary debates in philosophy of science

Speaker: Anna Alexandrova (Cambridge)

Title: What do Scientists of Well-Being Know?

Abstract: Scientists are experts in their field. There is a now a science of well-being. Does that mean there are now experts on well-being? If so, what exactly do these experts know? I tackle these questions in two parts. First I consider whether these experts’s knowledge is of facts or of values? I argue that, if they know anything, they know value-laden facts. Secondly, I consider whether this science provides knowledge about well-being of  individuals or of social kinds, and suggest that the  latter is more plausible.  These two conclusions imply important constraints on the expertise of well-being scientists and point to two ways in which lay persons with their own knowledge about well-being can be justified in disagreeing with the experts.

Contact

The seminars are organised by the philosophy of science research group. For more information or to find out about future events, please contact Dr Alistair Isaac.

Dr Alistair Isaac

Philosophy of science research group

Feb 16 2017 -

Contemporary debates in philosophy of science

16 Feb 2017: What do Scientists of Well-Being Know?

Room 2.13, Old Infirmary Building (Geography), 1 Drummond Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9XP