On non-epistemic values in conservation biology

What is it about?

The entanglement of measures and values is by no means a weakness of conservation biology. Because central concepts such as biodiversity contain both factual and evaluative aspects, conservation biologists can make theoretical progress by examining, reviewing, and forming the values that are an integral part of those concepts. We suggest that values should be included and analyzed with respect to the methods, results, and conclusions of scientific work in conservation biology.

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Why is it important?

Rather than relegating values to some secondary role or identifying them as mere starting assumptions, we suggest values be analyzed with respect to the methods, results, and conclusions of scientific work in conservation biology. Values undeniably influence science, whether it be the mindset or personal philosophy of the scientist gathering data or a special interest group or industry funding research. Nonetheless, value is incredibly important in any science for a simple reason: it crafts the objectives, goals, end points, and applicability of science. Therefore, value is not to be feared or cast aside but to be embraced and integrated because it helps focus the scope and aim of science.