Lecture 9: collective intentionality: credibility of science

Question 1

Margaret Gilbert vs. Michael Bratman about groups and individuals

Answer 1

Margaret Gilbert:

• social groups are plural subjects who have intentions and can act
• there’s joint commitment (common goal and shred knowledge, people act as one body)

Micheal Bratman:

• intentions can only be related to one’s own individual actions
• shared intentions must be considered as an aggregate (total of collection) of individual intentions

Question 2

Raimo Tuomela about we-attitude: a person has a we-attitude to x if:

Answer 2

1. they intend (belief, desire) to X,
2. they believe the others in the collective have the intention to X,
3. they believe that there is a mutual belief in the collective that the members have the intention to X.

Question 3

2 ways of understanding we-attitudes

Answer 3

1. I-mode attitudes (stem from independent actions, beliefs of individuals)
   - Prisoner dillemma is I-mode way: everyone pursues te same goal for themselves
2. we-mode attitudes (the members approach the situation from the perspective of a group)
   - Assurance game: joint strategy based on identification with the standards of the group

Question 4

How does collective intentionality relate to social institutions? How did Druid penny become a social institution?

Answer 4

Even tho the DP has no inherent or material value, the value emerged as wokers nd shop owners accepted it as currency.
- it’s value depended solely on the collective intentions of those using it

Question 5

status function

Answer 5

“x counts as Y in condition C”

- if conditions C don’t obtain, then x ceases to count as y

Question 6

4 norms to ensure ethical research (Merton)

Answer 6

1. communism: result must be publicly available
2. universalism: assesment of scientific knowledge is indenpendent of race, gender etc.
3. disinterestedness: the personal views and feelings of the researcher must not influence results
4. organized skepticism: systematic distrust of every result offerend

Question 7

commodification of science

Answer 7

researcher are incentivized to publish competition for jobs outweighs purer scientific values much research isn’t ground breaking

Question 8

radder about value and norm

Answer 8

value: ideal that is important for everyone to strive for
norm: translation of a value into a specific code of conduct

sustainability –> norm is using low energy light bulbs

values –> scientific norms –> best scientific practices

Question 9

Longino about what a scientific community needs to posses

Answer 9

1. Recognized avenues for criticism: there are recognized forums for critical debate (scientific journals, congresses, etc.).
2. Shared standards: the debate is based on generally shared criteria
   (e. g. accuracy and consistency).
3. Community response: criticism is addressed, positions and assumptions are adjusted if necessary in the light of criticism.
4. Equality of intellectual authority: all members of the community are considered to be intellectually equivalent.