Values, Research Strategies and Application of Knowledge: The Campos Sulinos in Question

摘要

Science is not value free. The philosopher Hugh Lacey developed a model of the interactions between values and scientific activity. The main objective of this paper is to present the model of Lacey and apply it to the context of the possibilities for productive use of Campos Sulinos, grasslands ecosystems of high biodiversity in southern Brazil, Uruguay and eastern part of Argentina, which are strongly threatened. The conversion of Campos Sulinos into large areas of agricultural and silvicultural monocultures is largely based on scientific knowledge acquired through decontextualizing strategies (ED). The conservation of Campos Sulinos is also informed by scientific knowledge, but primarily acquired through context-sensitive strategies (EC ). As the choice of strategy limits possible applications, the almost exclusive adoption of ED in modern science contradicts the ideal of neutrality of science. For enabling greater neutrality and comprehensiveness for the scientific activity, a plurality of strategies is necessary. Furthermore, when different strategies engage in conflict of values, decisions for the establishment of priorities and resource allocation need to be taken in democratic debates.