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Thinking the unthinkable as a radical scientific project

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Fuller, Steve, 1959-. (2010) Thinking the unthinkable as a radical scientific project. Critical Review (Philadelphia): a journal of politics and society, Vol.22 (No.4). pp. 397-413. ISSN 0891-3811

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08913811.2010.541691

Abstract

Philip Tetlock underestimates the import of his own Expert Political Judgment. It is much more than a critical scientific evaluation of the accuracy and consistency of political pundits. It also offers a blueprint for challenging expertise more generally-in the name of scientific advancement. "Thinking the unthinkable" - a strategy Tetlock employs when he gets experts to consider counterfactual scenarios that are far from their epistemic comfort zones - has had explosive consequences historically for both knowledge and morality by extending our sense of what is possible. Thinking the unthinkable might also put into question contemporary assumptions about the legitimacy of science.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Political science -- Forecasting
Journal or Publication Title:	Critical Review (Philadelphia): a journal of politics and society
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	0891-3811
Official Date:	2010
Volume:	Vol.22
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	pp. 397-413
Identification Number:	10.1080/08913811.2010.541691
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/36593