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@inbook{Webster:2021:10.4324/9781003098829,
author = {Webster, S},
booktitle = {The Cabinet of Imaginary Laws},
doi = {10.4324/9781003098829},
editor = {Goodrich and Zartaloudis},
pages = {19--34},
publisher = {Routledge},
title = {A triptych of lawlessness},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003098829},
year = {2021}
}

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TY  - CHAP
AB  - This essay is about the rules and laws of science, and the way they let us down. I will make the unusual argument that, for science to be ethical, a strong element of lawlessness is needed. But what is an ethical science? Amongst other things, it is one where a scientist’s individual autonomy, intellectual and otherwise, is harmonised with social responsibility. This happy balance is somewhat threatened by the realities of a high-pressure research culture. Professional anxiety, therefore, gives a background hum to my argument. However, my more explicit theme concerns the laws of science, and their grip on the imagination of scientists. I explore, in particular, the idea that the image of a lawlike science lessens the ability of researchers to see what is right and good in their work. As a corrective I consider an alternative, lawless conception of science. To make this vision of science as effective as possible, I conceive a magnificent painted triptych, filled with examples and allegories. It will hang in the foyers and even the laboratories of our science institutes and is called “The Triptych of Lawlessness”.
AU  - Webster,S
DO  - 10.4324/9781003098829
EP  - 34
PB  - Routledge
PY  - 2021///
SN  - 978 0 3675 6658 6
SP  - 19
TI  - A triptych of lawlessness
T1  - The Cabinet of Imaginary Laws
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003098829
UR  - https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003098829-5/triptych-lawlessness-stephen-webster
UR  - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/95787
ER  -

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