_Scientific Values and Civic Virtues_ (http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/0195172256.001.0001/acprof-9780195172256) Noretta Koertge Print publication date: 2005 Print ISBN-13: 9780195172256 Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: July 2005 Defending the Radical Center Chapter: (p. 159 ) 10 Defending the Radical Center Source: Scientific Values and Civic Virtues Author(s): Keith Parsons Publisher: Oxford University Press DOI:10.1093/0195172256.003.0011 Because science claims to offer objective knowledge that transcends sectarian bias, it stands in a “middle” position between extremist ideologies of both the left and the right. Contrary to the claims of feminist philosophers such as Sandra Harding, traditional ideals of scientific objectivity do not require rejection or radical revision. Contrary to the claims of neo-creationists Phillip Johnson and Alvin Plantinga, scientific objectivity is not compromised by its commitment to naturalism. By eschewing ideological bias in favor of broadly shared standards of objectivity, science provides an example of how diverse societies can pursue common aims. -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
