Scientific uncertainty reflects political context, not deficient understanding

Evidence

Sarawitz argues that scientific evidence and findings are diverse, and can be used to support any number of positions. In particular, Sarawitz argues that science supplies facts that are used by various parties to legitimate their preexisting normative positions and interests, that competing scientific disciplinary positions may be tied to particular political positions, and that scientific uncertainty should not be understood as a lack of scientific understanding, but instead as a result of the various political, cultural, and institutional contexts in which science is produced. His main point is that as science can be used to back up any number of positions on issues, the ideology and influences on science should be on the table, and examined politically before scientific evidence can be effectively applied. — David Schlosberg, Defining Environmental Justice, 684

Categorization

• XREF: Sarawitz’s relocation of scientific uncertainty into political production contexts supports the reader’s listening/observation-as-method thread across Eco-Justice and Soundscape. — connects to: Perfect neutrality in politically charged science is elusive and possibly undesirable — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 93; Skepticism toward political norms is essential to intellectual inquiry — Saba Mahmood, Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival…, 1298; Baroque uncertainty is grounded in relativized scientific knowledge of nature — Édouard Glissant, Poetics of Relation, 433 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Political needs, not evidence, shaped which scientific theories took hold #corroborates (0.88) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 433
• Political writing requires partisan passion, not detached scientific objectivity #corroborates (0.80) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 727
• Scientific-technological ordering is inherently political #complicates (0.80) — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 618
• Perfect neutrality in politically charged science is elusive and possibly undesirable #corroborates (0.78) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 93
• Skepticism toward political norms is essential to intellectual inquiry #qualifies (0.75) — Saba Mahmood, Politics of Piety, 1298
• Historical prediction really expresses practical political effort, not scientific knowledge #corroborates (0.75) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1558
• Baroque uncertainty is grounded in relativized scientific knowledge of nature #expands (0.72) — Édouard Glissant, Poetics of Relation, 433