Scientific authority: An epistemic proceduralist framework for the legitimate authority of science in environmental policy |
Posted on:2016-09-16 | Degree:Ph.D | Type:Dissertation |
University:University of Colorado at Boulder | Candidate:Heller, Matthew Evan | Full Text:PDF |
GTID:1476390017975780 | Subject:Political science |
Abstract/Summary: | |
The formation and implementation of effective environmental policies by Western liberal democracies are frequently hindered by disagreement over the appropriate role of scientific knowledge. In my dissertation, I argue this obstruction is resolved by recognizing the legitimate authority of science in environmental policy-making. Drawing on David Estlund's epistemic proceduralist theory of democracy, I demonstrate the compatibility of the authority of scientific knowledge claims about the cause and effect relationships of the biophysical world in environmental policy-making with our normative expectations for the justifications of democratic governance. After defending this approach to understanding the science-policy interface, I demonstrate the feasibility of my theory and its expected impacts through detailed application to the case of climate policy. Specifically, I argue that the authority of science that I defend will increase the effectiveness of policies at achieving desired ends, while avoiding the difficulties presented by the politicization of scientific explanations. |
Keywords/Search Tags: | Scientific, Environmental, Authority, Science |
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