scholarly journals Social values influence the adequacy conditions of scientific theories: beyond inductive risk

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Brigandt

The ‘death of evidence’ issue in Canada raises the spectre of politicized science, and thus the question of what role social values may have in science and how this meshes with objectivity and evidence. I first criticize philosophical accounts that have to separate different steps of research to restrict the influence of social and other non-epistemic values. A prominent account that social values may play a role even in the context of theory acceptance is the argument from inductive risk. It maintains that the more severe the social consequences of erroneously accepting a theory would be, the more evidence is needed before the theory may be accepted. However, an implication of this position is that increasing evidence makes the impact of social values converge to zero; and I argue for a stronger role for social values. On this position, social values (together with epistemic values and other empirical considerations) may determine a theory's conditions of adequacy, which among other things can include considerations about what makes a scientific account unbiased and complete. I illustrate this based on recent theories of human evolution and the social behaviour of non-human primates, where some of the social values implicated are feminist values. While many philosophical accounts (both arguments from inductive risk and from underdetermination) conceptualize the relevance of social values in terms of making inferences from evidence, I argue for the need for a broader philosophical framework, which is also motivated by issues pertaining to scientific explanation.

Author(s):  
Isabel Aguilar-Palacio ◽  
Lina Maldonado ◽  
Sara Malo ◽  
Raquel Sánchez-Recio ◽  
Iván Marcos-Campos ◽  
...  

It is essential to understand the impact of social inequalities on the risk of COVID-19 infection in order to mitigate the social consequences of the pandemic. With this aim, the objective of our study was to analyze the effect of socioeconomic inequalities, both at the individual and area of residence levels, on the probability of COVID-19 confirmed infection, and its variations across three pandemic waves. We conducted a retrospective cohort study and included data from all individuals tested for COVID-19 during the three waves of the pandemic, from March to December 2020 (357,989 individuals) in Aragón (Spain). We studied the effect of inequalities on the risk of having a COVID-19 confirmed diagnosis after being tested using multilevel analyses with two levels of aggregation: individuals and basic healthcare area of residence (deprivation level and type of zone). Inequalities in the risk of COVID-19 confirmed infection were observed at both the individual and area level. There was a predominance of low-paid employees living in deprived areas. Workers with low salaries, unemployed and people on minimum integration income or who no longer receive the unemployment allowance, had a higher probability of COVID-19 infection than workers with salaries ≥ €18,000 per year. Inequalities were greater in women and in the second wave. The deprivation level of areas of residence influenced the risk of COVID-19 infection, especially in the second wave. It is necessary to develop individual and area coordinated measures by areas in the control, diagnosis and treatment of the epidemic, in order to avoid an increase in the already existing inequalities.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110018
Author(s):  
Sarah O’Neill ◽  
Christina Pallitto

The health consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM) have been described previously; however, evidence of the social consequences is more intangible. To date, few systematic reviews have addressed the impact of the practice on psycho-social well-being, and there is limited understanding of what these consequences might consist. To complement knowledge on the known health consequences, this article systematically reviewed qualitative evidence of the psycho-social impact of FGM in countries where it is originally practiced (Africa, the Middle East, and Asia) and in countries of the diaspora. Twenty-three qualitative studies describing the psycho-social impact of FGM on women’s lives were selected after screening. This review provides a framework for understanding the less visible ways in which women and girls with FGM experience adverse effects that may affect their sense of identity, their self-esteem, and well-being as well as their participation in society.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonaventure N. Nwokeoma ◽  
Amadi Kingsley Chinedu

Abstract Climate change discussion has primarily focused on the physical manifestation, mitigation, adaptation and finance issues. However, little attention is given to the social consequences of climate change impact especially its relationship to crime in society. Specifically, little or no research has been focused on its impact on crime, especially in developing societies. This study which examined the impact of climate change and its consequences on crime specifically terrorist activities in the Northeast of Nigeria is an effort to fill this research gap. The study adopted a cross-aged design which involves in depth interview of 200 farmers in four selected states of the zone. The outcome is that climate change awareness in the zone is very low. The climate change events identified are rapid desertification, excessive heat and drought. The consequence is that most farmers lost farmlands and agricultural products to these climate change events. Also most of the farmers who are youths were rendered redundant due to the negative impact of these climate events on crops and agriculture. Consequently they engage in alternative activities like menial jobs, while some engage in criminal activities like drug addiction, theft, political thugery, armed robbery, kidnapping and terrorism. They become ready tools for recruitment by Boko-Haram terrorists who are active in the area. It is recommended that massive enlightenment and effective mitigation program should be conducted, youth who are not in school should be convinced to embrace education. Also measures and projects to re-engage the youths back to agriculture should be promoted.


Author(s):  
A.N. Raikov ◽  

The paper addresses the issue of identification the social and humanitarian grounds for constructing criteria for assessing the impact of various factors on the development of innovations using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The analysis of basic concepts, standards and criteria for evaluating innovations has been carried out; an analytical review of foreign scientific publications was made. It is shown that modern systems for assessing innovations related to digital technologies and AI place the main emphasis on technological factors in the development of innovations. Social value orientations, including defining the ethical dimensions and social consequences of the malicious use of AI was identified; the analysis of innovation models in the context of quality management and differentiation of semantics of AI models is carried out. As a result, a classification of various types of AI was constructed, taking into account the social and humanitarian grounds for constructing criteria for assessing the impact of various factors on the development of innovations in the field of AI. It allows to increase the reputation potential of companies developing AI systems and AI systems themselves, to counter negative trends in the field of ethics associated with the use of digital technologies and AI.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Tencer

This essay examines the ways in which technology defines and divides generations and considers how swipe-­technology (touch-­screen technologies) shape emerging learning styles. Specifically, it focuses on the research currently being investigated on how forms of digital literacy represent a radical shift, away from traditional forms of literacy (Prensky, 2001a, b; Frand, 2000; Prensky, 2001b; Tapscott, 1997; Franco, 2013; Plowman & McPake, 2013; Infante, 2014; Passey, 2014) and evaluates various claims made about the social consequences of such change. This paper emphasizes the impact that swipe-­technology has on young children during early stages of their development and seeks to answer the following question: what are the consequences of digital language becoming the Born Digital’s (Franco, 2013) primary form of expression? The paper draws on some traditional theories such as those of Mannheim (Kecskemeti, 1952) and Vygotsky (1929, 1962, 1978) to provide a broader contextualization. In so doing, it hopes to contribute to the dialogue about how educational institutions should be redesigned to accommodate new media technologies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 360-377
Author(s):  
Zahra ABBAS

The research seeks to reveal the impact of the means of communication and cultural change among new generations and their reflection on the nature of their cultural formation - The importance of research Modern means of communication constitute a threat to traditional social values and customs and put society in front of new problems, especially among new generations. Secondly, it is one of the most effective means to effect a cultural change that pushes society to interact with contemporary culture and break traditional barriers, and its ability to threaten a system of traditional social values in society The risks it can leave on social and moral values in society, especially on young people, which makes these risks reflected in the disintegration of the national feelings of young people and their direction towards their individual interests and the search for freedom and individual achievements and a culture of interest in the overall issues in society.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-210
Author(s):  
Syed Saad Hussain ◽  
Jabran Aziz . ◽  
Ahsan Raza Jaffari . ◽  
Maira Fatima . ◽  
Wasiq Ejaz, Syed Kamran .

Youth plays a significant role in building of the nation and in the development of a country. Their adoption, aspiration, and objective lead towards change in social value of a culture. Ongoing study investigates the impact of telecom cellular services packages like late night call & unlimited Short Messaging Service (SMS) on the social values of Pakistani youth. In today’s competitive environment cellular companies are mainly targeting youth through their advertisements and would like the youth to get indulge in these activities in order to increase their sales but the point is up to what extent youth showing receptiveness and emotional attachment to these packages. Study was conducted in capital city of Pakistan i.e. Islamabad, mainly considering three famous universities; Iqra University, Bahria University & Foundation University with the sample of 250 respondents; convenient sampling technique is used & results are measured using multiple regression test. Major findings concluded that cellular advertisements of unlimited Short Messaging Service (SMS) and late night call packages have a negative impact on youth but youth is still willing to accept these advertisements as they are negatively attached to the advertisement and use of these packages.


Author(s):  
O. Vikulova ◽  
D. Gornostaeva

Based on the latest foreign sources, the article examines the impact of Artifi cial Intelligence and related robotics and automatization on the global economy, international trade, global value chains, the motivation and activities of companies, especially TNCs, the activities of the WTO, as well as the social consequences of these processes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Maestripieri

Covid-19 has been a disrupting event in contemporary social life but is far from being a great equaliser. Preliminary studies have put in evidence how different social groups faced a differentiated risk of contagion and coped differently with the various consequences of the emergency. Evidence shows how minorities and migrants face disproportionally higher risks of contagion than the white upper and middle class, and how vulnerable communities are more exposed to deaths and the rapid spread of the virus. At the same time, societies are coping with social distancing measures and their disruptive social and economic consequences, which have a more significant impact on the most vulnerable segments of societies: women, children, low-income classes and ethnic minorities. This article argues that an intersectional framework allows an understanding of what is occurring in the current pandemic, both in terms of its social determinants and social consequences. To open the black box of inequality, intersectional scholars analyze the intersections of multiple structures of inequalities (such as gender, age, class, ethnicity), which have a multiplying effect when disadvantaged positions intersect in the same individual. Covid-19 is a clear example of an intersectional phenomenon: the impact of individual and community exposure to Covid-19 is the results of multiple and interrelating structures of inequality. Up to now, research in social sciences has underestimated the role of intersectionality in analyzing the social and economic consequences of this pandemic.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Kumar

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of physical education and sports in promoting social values among youth. Physical education and sports plays a vital role in educating the youth regarding the importance of social values in their life. Reviewed literature investigated that the importance of association in educating both minds and body. Further, it also encourages the social values among youth that allow them to develop the social relations with their community. Moreover, the benefits of physical education and sports can influence both academic learning and physical activity of the youth.


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