The Commodification of Academic Research: Science and the Modern University

Selling science has become a common practice in contemporary universities. This commodification of academia pervades many aspects of higher education, including research, teaching, and administration. As such, it raises significant philosophical, political, and moral challenges. This volume offers the first book-length analysis of this disturbing trend from a philosophical perspective and presents views by scholars of philosophy of science, social and political philosophy, and research ethics.
The epistemic and moral responsibilities of universities, whether for-profit or nonprofit, are examined from several philosophical standpoints. The contributors discuss the pertinent epistemological and methodological questions, the sociopolitical issues of the organization of science, the tensions between commodified practices and the ideal of "science for the public good," and the role of governmental regulation and personal ethical behavior. In order to counter coercive and corruptive influences of academic commodification, the contributors consider alternatives to commodified research and offer practical recommendations for establishing appropriate research standards, methodologies and institutional arrangements, and a corresponding normative ethos.

Author: Hans Radder
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press
Published: 05/15/2012
Pages: 360
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.00w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780822962267

About the Author

Hans Radder is professor of philosophy of science and technology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is the author or editor of several books, including: "The Material Realization of Science; In and About the World: Philosophical Studies of Science and Technology; The Philosophy of Scientific Experimentation; "and" The World Observed/The World Conceived."