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2 - Objectivism

from Part I - Clearing the Ground

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2022

Joshua W. Clegg
Affiliation:
John Jay College, CUNY
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Summary

In Chapter 2, I discuss theories of objectivism, or the requirement that all genuine knowledge be observer-independent and/or neutral. I provide a brief outline of objectivist accounts and distinguish these from objectivity. Drawing on historical analyses, I show how objectivity in science refers to a set of practices aimed at reducing variability in the recording and transmission of observations, but that objectivism is an overgeneralization of these practices into an incoherent epistemological mandate. I argue that objectivism is illusory, both because knowledge can never be produced independent of a historically situated knower and also because neither individuals nor human systems can be neutral. Objectivism, I claim, can only be performative and so serves as a cover for, rather than a defense against, institutionalized forms of privilege. Objectivist practices also dehumanize the subjects of scientific labor and so anesthetize the moral responsiveness of those who produce and consume research.

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Chapter
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Good Science
Psychological Inquiry as Everyday Moral Practice
, pp. 18 - 28
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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  • Objectivism
  • Joshua W. Clegg
  • Book: Good Science
  • Online publication: 06 January 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009022217.005
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  • Objectivism
  • Joshua W. Clegg
  • Book: Good Science
  • Online publication: 06 January 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009022217.005
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Objectivism
  • Joshua W. Clegg
  • Book: Good Science
  • Online publication: 06 January 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009022217.005
Available formats
×