Abstract

Values play an ineliminable role in science whenever scientists endorse factual claims. They also become entwined with science whenever scientists build models. Scientists, however, do not always hold a range of values that canvasses the whole spectrum of values held by the public. The goal of this talk is to open a discussion of what to do about this situation, through the lens of recent history: the role of modelling in the Covid-19 pandemic. I start by articulating a framework for understanding the role of values in science that distinguishes the endorsement of facts from the building of representational tools like models. I then use that framework to discuss the famous Imperial College of London model: Covidsim. I then discuss three recent proposals for how scientists, engaged with public policy questions, ought to manage values and I argue that recent history shows how two such proposals are bound to miss the mark. I also show the enormous challenges that the third proposal, the one that calls for a role for public participation in science, will have to surmount if it is going to be successful.