Coupled Ethical-Epistemic Analysis as a Tool for Environmental Science

Abstract

This paper presents a new model for how to jointly analyze the ethical and evidentiary dimensions of environmental science cases, with an eye toward making science more participatory and publically accountable. To do so, it adapts and expands the existing model of ‘coupled ethical-epistemic analysis,’ developed by Tuana and extended by Katikireddi and Valles. This model is contrasted with the existing literature on the relationship between ethical and epistemic features of philosophical analysis. The model is then applied to two case studies, the Flint, Michigan water contamination crisis and the Menabe, Madagascar Payment for Ecosystem Services conservation program.