In my view scientists make experiments and get results. Then, usually they interpret these results (theories). We may agree that experiments' results are objective, at least if they are reproducible. So what is the reason to consider that science is not objective?

  • Not considered to be objective by whom? This little detail could narrow down the question, and increase the quality of answers you get - And no, experiments aren't always objective, or interpreted objectively. That is why scientists employ certain techniques, such as "double blind studies", to diminish any subjective bias. – christo183 Nov 6 '18 at 5:52
  • @christo183 experiments are not interpretations but facts. – santimirandarp Nov 6 '18 at 6:18
  • Experiments can absolutely be "rigged", not all scientists are equally 'honest', not all disciplines have the same standards. There are external pressures as @BugCatcher describes and even internal pressures... We have certain built in (psychological) biases in perception that skew objectivity, regardless how honest we aim to be. However these are topics for another site, like physics or psychology, if discussed to much here the question is likely to be closed as "off-topic". The aspects relevant here are "Is objectivity possible?', "How?", or explore tag: philosophy-of-science. – christo183 Nov 6 '18 at 6:42
  • You can see Objectivity: A Very Short Introduction (2012), by Stephen Gaukroger. – Mauro ALLEGRANZA Nov 6 '18 at 10:40

See Theory and Observation in Science :

Empirically minded philosophers assume that the evidential value of an observation or observational process depends on how sensitive it is to whatever it is used to study. But this in turn depends on the adequacy of any theoretical claims its sensitivity may depend on.

Thomas Kuhn, Norwood Hanson, Paul Feyerabend and others cast suspicion on the objectivity of observational evidence in another way by arguing that one can’t use empirical evidence to test a theory without committing oneself to that very theory.

This phenomenon is called Theory-ladenness of observations :

in the philosophy of science, observations are said to be "theory‐laden" when they are affected by the theoretical presuppositions held by the investigator.

Is this a treat to Scientific Objectivity ? :



Kuhn's analysis is built on the assumption that scientists always view research problems through the lens of a paradigm, defined by set of relevant problems, axioms, methodological presuppositions, techniques, and so forth. [...] Can observations undermine such a paradigm, and speak for a different one? Here, Kuhn famously stresses that observations are “theory-laden” (cf. also Hanson): they depend on a body of theoretical assumptions through which they are perceived and conceptualized.

In conclusion : experiments' results are objective, when they are reproducible. Yes.

But scientific knowledge is made also of theoretical interpretation of experimental facts and evidence.

  • @santimirandarp - roughly speaking: when we use an electronic microscope to make observations, we assume that we know how it works. But the "how it works" depends (in some measure) from our current "electronic theory". – Mauro ALLEGRANZA Nov 6 '18 at 16:38
  • 1
    Fine, clouds are cleared up, now I can see the sky... – santimirandarp Nov 6 '18 at 16:39

Thinking about who decides which experiments are conducted, to whose benefit those results might be, can be a starting point. The peer review process is not perfectly objective. Old scientists refuse to consider new theories (Max Planck said that "science advances one funeral at a time"). Plus you can look at scientific history, especially about racial science/eugenics which was affected by the racist Imperial European politics of the time, and so on. In my undergraduate degree, they told us that science operates in terms of paradigm shifts, where scientists believe in/uphold a certain paradigm and then a combination of political and scientific inputs cause, after a period of stability, a shift to a new paradigm. Anyway, all this is by way of saying that the scientific method may be (or strive to be) objective, but science as practiced is done by humans, and therefore is infected by politics. Or alternatively, it is done situated in a political environment.

  • @santimirandarp This is where "interpretation" has a major influence. Sometimes there is subconscious bias, sometimes its simply 'getting with the program'. – christo183 Nov 6 '18 at 7:07
  • 1
    @santimirandarp A perfect experiment can be perfectly objective. If you think you've ever seen a perfect experiment, let me know. I'd like to see one. – Cort Ammon Nov 6 '18 at 7:34

Taking a definition for science that presupposes objectivity, then of course science is objective. But that's trivial.

Taking a definition for science that allows human elements, then of course science is not objective: the humans of science are subjective, and so science is subjective.

I believe that the objective definition for science will not be satisfying, because the field will be limited to what's experimentally verified, ruling out most theory.

I think that the subjective definition for science will not be satisfying, because it lacks the authority that comes of absolute truth.

Maybe it would be better to worry less about what science is, and just focus on individual assertions by individual people:

"I did this in the laboratory, and a lot of smart people agree that this is always just what happens."

"Whenever we look over here, we see the same kind of thing. Maybe that's what's causing all this other stuff to happen."

"Most of the time, this experiment goes to the right. But it goes to the left sometimes. Let's build an experiment that tries to determine just when we can expect is to go left."

  • @santimirandarp, I'm really sorry but I don't understand your comment. – elliot svensson Nov 6 '18 at 15:37

Your Answer

