Behavioural Sciences in Law and Policy: A Case of Scientific Imperialism?

Malecka, Magdalena; Lepenies, Robert

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2631760

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Behavioural Sciences in Law and Policy: A Case of Scientific Imperialism?

EUI Department of Law Research Paper No. MWP 2015/13

19 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2015

See all articles by Magdalena Malecka

Robert Lepenies

European University Institute

Date Written: 2015

Abstract

The paper discusses applications of the behavioural sciences to law and aims at contributing to the contemporary discussions on scientific imperialism. By analysing these applications we demonstrate difficulties with defining scientific imperialism in terms of relations between disciplines. The analysis advanced in the paper critically assesses existing accounts of scientific imperialism and paves the way for a more robust approach to both the definition and evaluation of instances of scientific imperialism. The analysis of these ideas is preliminary and we look forward to comments from readers of this work-in-progress.

Keywords: Behavioural sciences, scientism, scientific imperialism, behavioural science in law and policy, behavioural policy, scientific progress

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Malecka, Magdalena and Lepenies, Robert, Behavioural Sciences in Law and Policy: A Case of Scientific Imperialism? (2015). EUI Department of Law Research Paper No. MWP 2015/13, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2631760 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2631760