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Can the Science of Well-Being Be Objective?

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Type

Article

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Abstract

Well-being, health and freedom are some of the many phenomena of interest to science whose definitions rely on a normative standard. Empirical generalizations about them thus present a special case of value-ladenness. I propose the notion of a 'mixed claim' to denote such generalizations. Against the prevailing wisdom, I argue that we should not seek to eliminate them from science. Rather, we need to develop principles for their legitimate use. Philosophers of science have already reconciled values with objectivity in several ways, but none of the existing proposals are suitable for mixed claims. Using the example of the science of well-being, I articulate a conception of objectivity for this science and for mixed claims in general.

Description

Keywords

5003 Philosophy, 50 Philosophy and Religious Studies, 5002 History and Philosophy Of Specific Fields

Journal Title

British Journal for the Philosophy of Science

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0007-0882
1464-3537

Volume Title

69

Publisher

Oxford Academic