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SUMMARY:Consensus and disagreement in science - Stephan Hartmann (Tilburg 
 University)
DTSTART:20090226T163000Z
DTEND:20090226T180000Z
UID:TALK15896@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Lauren Kassell
DESCRIPTION:There is a considerable amount of disagreement amongst scienti
 sts. They disagree on methodological questions regarding the virtues of a 
 good theory as well as on conclusions drawn from observed data. But the do
 main of disagreement extends beyond purely academic questions: policy reco
 mmendations based on scientific theories and the distribution of research 
 funds are typical examples of socially relevant areas of dissent in scienc
 e. In many cases\, the initial disagreement eventually leads to a consensu
 s. This raises several questions: When is it rational for scientists to di
 sagree? How should a group of scientists proceed to reach a decision? Whic
 h factors facilitate a consensus? The answers to these questions will sure
 ly depend on the specific case under investigation. I will argue\, however
 \, that formal methods can also be used to shed some light on these questi
 ons.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 2\, History and Philosophy of Science\, Department o
 f
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