Wishful Thinking and Values in Science. Issue 5 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Steel, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of science. Volume 85:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 895
• Page End: 905
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Science -- Philosophy; Science; Science -- Philosophy; Philosophie des sciences; Epistemology; Periodicals; 501
• DOI: 10.1086/699714
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1539-767X

Abstract

Abstract: This article examines the concept of wishful thinking in philosophical literature on science and values. It suggests that this term tends to be used in an overly broad manner that fails to distinguish between separate types of bias, mechanisms that generate biases, and general theories that might explain those mechanisms. I explain how confirmation bias is distinct from wishful thinking and why it is more useful for examining the relationship between cognitive bias and beliefs about the existence of injustices.