Philosophical bias is the one bias that science cannot avoid

2019/03/13 by Fredrik Andersen, Rani Lill Anjum, Elena Rocca · 1 voice · 2 citations
Arts and Humanities · Decision Sciences · Social Sciences · #Philosophy and History of Science #Meta-analysis and systematic reviews #Climate Change Communication and Perception

paper · pdf · doi:10.7554/elife.44929

openalex publication_date 2019/03/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

Scientists seek to eliminate all forms of bias from their research. However, all scientists also make assumptions of a non-empirical nature about topics such as causality, determinism and reductionism when conducting research. Here, we argue that since these 'philosophical biases' cannot be avoided, they need to be debated critically by scientists and philosophers of science.

Citations

• Inductive Risk and Values in Science
• Why Most Published Research Findings Are False
• The Need for a New Medical Model: A Challenge for Biomedicine

Cited by

• Physiotherapy’s Philosophical Phobia Will Be Its Demise
• (New) Realist Social Cognition

Discussions

• "Philosophical bias is the one bias that science cannot avoid". Or rather, a set of biases among many that cannot be avoided. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.44929 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]