James A. Moffett '29 Lectures in Ethics - Cordelia Fine - "Fairly Criticized, or Politicized? Conflicts in the Neuroscience of Sex Differences in the Human Brain"
Investigations of sex differences in the human brain take place on
politically sensitive terrain. While some scholars express concern that
gendered biases and stereotypes remain embedded in scientific research,
others are alarmed about the politicization of science. This talk sets
out three kinds of conflicts that can arise in the neuroscience of sex
differences: academic freedom versus gender equality; frameworks,
background assumptions, and dominant methodologies; and inductive risk
and social values. The boundaries between fair criticism and
politicization are explored for each kind of conflict, pointing to ways
in which the academic community can facilitate fair criticism while
protecting against politicization.