Postnormal science

Postnormal Science (postnormal Science) is a concept developed by Silvio Funtowicz and Jerome Ravetz in 1993, trying to characterize a research methodology that is appropriate for contemporary conditions. The typical case is when “factors are uncertain, there are disputed values, risks are high and urgent decisions i>». In such circumstances, we have a reversal of the traditional distinction between objective, hard scientific facts, and subjective, soft values. Now we find ourselves with political decisions driven by values that are hard in several senses, and for which scientific contributions are hopelessly soft.

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We can understand postnormal science through a diagram, where the axes are "system uncertainties" and "decision risks." When both are low, we find Applied Science, the problem-solving routine like Normal science described by Thomas Kuhn in his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. When they are medium, we have professional consulting, whose examples are the case of the veteran engineer: although his work is based on science, he must always deal with uncertainties, and his mistakes can be costly or even lethal. It has once been believed that environmental and political problems in general could be managed at this level, but the major issues of climate change or various forms of pollution show that the design of regulatory frameworks and the implementation of policies must often be carried out before all the anticipated events have manifested.

This is why there must be an "extended community of equals" made up of all those affected by a specific issue, who are prepared to enter into a dialogue about it. Its members contribute their "extended facts," which will include local knowledge and materials that were not originally intended for publication, such as leaked official information. There are political implications for this extension of the patent de marque of science; but the argument in postnormal science is that this extension is necessary to ensure the quality of the process and the product. In recent years the principles and practices of postnormal science have been widely adopted under the title Participation.