What is the value free ideal and should scientists strive to uphold it?

Abstract

There seems to be a near consensus among philosophers of science rejecting the value-free ideal - that non-epistemic values ought not to influence scientific reasoning. This essays shows that arguments put forward against the ideal do not necessitate the rejection of its desirability. It also argues that rejecting the ideal can lead to detrimental consequences and instead the ideal should be retained by reframing it as a constraint in resorting to non-epistemic values and choosing among values.

Keywords: value-free ideal, science, proportionality, value-neutrality thesis, non-epistemic values, epistemic values, inductive risk