IS SCIENCE VALUE FREE? Values and scientific understanding

'Hugh Lacey's book gives a careful and well-rounded treatment of the unceasingly topical and controversial question of the role of values in scientific inquiry.' Miranda Fricker, Heythrop College The idea that science is free has been challenged over the years by a number of different sides, including postmodernists, feminists, radical ecologists, third-world advocates and religious fundamentalists. In this book, Hugh Lacey explicates and appraises the view that science is value free. Lacey discusses how science and values interact with a focus on a discussion of development, and science's place in development - particularly in third-world countries. Is Science Value Free? takes a unique approach to this ongoing discussion in the following ways: * exploring the nature and meaning of 'values' * discussing challenges to the view that science is as value free as possible * defining 'levels' of scientific inquiry, bringing us closer to the possibility of a neutral ideal. Is Science Value Free? gives us a refreshing and intriguing new look at how we see and study science. Students of science and philosophy of science will find this to be an invaluable read.