SCIENTIFIC PLURALITY AND RISK ASSESSMENT: NEW ARGUMENTS IN THE MONISM-PLURALISM DEBATE IN PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

Sciences exhibit a multiplicity and plurality of interests, values, languages, methodologies, representations, theories and ontologies. This recognition has given rise to the monism vs. pluralism debate in Philosophy of Science, an arena in which different positions about the negative or positive value of plurality are played out. In general terms, the arguments offered are nourished by metaphysical or epistemological considerations. The main objective of this work is to incorporate ethical arguments into the debate, showing that, in contexts of scientific intervention, how plurality is conceived has a direct impact on our assessment of the risks associated with a given intervention.