The Disconnect Problem, Scientific Authority, and Climate Policy

Perspectives on Science 25 (1):67-94 (2017)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

The disconnect problem arises wherever there is ongoing and severe discordance between the scientific assessment of a politically relevant issue, and the politics and legislation of said issue. Here, we focus on the disconnect problem as it arises in the case of climate change, diagnosing a failure to respect the necessary tradeoff between authority and autonomy within a public institution like science. After assessing the problematic deployment of scientific authority in this arena, we offer suggestions for how to mitigate climate change’s particular disconnect problem, as well as more general proposals for reforming science advising.

Author Profiles

Matthew J. Brown
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Joyce C. Havstad
University of Utah

Analytics

Added to PP
2017-02-07

Downloads
383 (#40,209)

6 months
102 (#33,430)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?