This project  focusses on how the idea of scientific pluralism affects (decisions taken in) science policy. Once the idea that there is an agenda set for our inquiries by nature, is left behind, and replaced with a very different view of inquiry, one that allows a place for human values and human interests in the constitution of the goals of the sciences, the public (and democratic) involvement in science policy becomes an important topic of reflection. The project has three components:
(a) developing a comprehenisve framework to understand pluralism in science;
(b) clarifying the relation between cognitive/rational interests in science and social/cultural interests;
(c) analysing decision models in science policy, and their relation with scientific pluralism and democracy.