With ref to the CUDOS Mertonian norms...I used to think disinterestedness mean’t striving to be objective but I now think the intended meaning was for it to be taken literally.
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1See Mertonian norms : "disinterestedness : scientific institutions act for the benefit of a common scientific enterprise, rather than for the personal gain of individuals within them." – Mauro ALLEGRANZA Jan 5 at 9:59
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If the definition of special interest is: (noun) a group of people or an organization seeking or receiving special advantages, typically through political lobbying -- the 'disinterestedness' means avoiding such political or personal biases. – Bread Jan 5 at 11:49
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See Mertonian norms :
disinterestedness : scientific institutions act for the benefit of a common scientific enterprise, rather than for the personal gain of individuals within them.
Robert K. Merton was a sociologist and not an epistemologist.
Thus, her norms are addressed to scientific institutions: a sort of ethics of the scientific enterprise.
