The value of life: the rise and fall of a scientific research programme

Research on the monetary value of saving life and limb has produced results most laypeople would regard as nonsensical; however, researchers continue to try to make sense of these bewildering results and produce new studies.

An almost forgotten theory of science can explain why this is so.

Studies designed to obtain monetary valuations of life and limb have produced extremely diverse results.

There is no consensus among researchers working in the field about the best research methods or the most credible results of research.

However, this field of study continues to thrive. The methodology of scientific research programmes, a theory of science developed by the late philosopher Imre Lakatos, can help explain why a particular field of study continues to exist, despite not producing meaningful or easily interpreted results.

Readers of the book will gain insight into internal norms of science that guide researchers to continue to pursue studies even if the findings, taken at face value, contradict the theoretical foundations of the research.

Scientific theories can be upheld even when the evidence against them seems to be massive.