Philosophy of Data Science | S01 E04 | Values and Subjectivity in Data Science

Philosophy of Data Science Series

Session 1: Scientific Reasoning for Practical Data Science

Episode 4: Values and Subjectivity in Data Science

The Value-Free Ideal is a central tenant of objective science. But how do values, value judgements, and subjectivity leak into the practice of data science and statistics. To what extent is it desirable for science to be informed by values? Kevin Zollman (Carnegie Mellon University) covers the range of key ideas, from Heather E. Douglas to W.E.B. du Bois.

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0:00 Intro

0:03 Welcome Kevin Zollman (Carnegie Mellon University)!

1:44 Is Science Value-Free?

6:08 How might values affect science?

9:00 Choice of Research Problem

10:45 Loss Functions

18:34 Choice of Variables

24:10 Choice of Statistical Model

29:30 Minimizing the Values in Science (W.E.B. du Bois)

35:20 Philosopher in Science

41:20 Statements on Generalizability

47:45 Clarifying Subjective Choices

52:45 Conflicts between Scientific Disciplines

61:18 Scientific Value Judgments & Self Correcting Science

67:50 Choice in Metrics and Research Focus

70:30 Concluding Ideas