The normative postulate problem: Hidden values in ecology, evolution, and conservation

The translation of scientific data, analyses, and conclusions into public policy social action almost always contains an implication the investigator's ethics values. Direct statements these values are often deeply considered, but ethical implications structural constraints upstream analytical choices hidden. This is relatively uncontroversial from a philosophical point view, well-known to scholars in environmental ethics. However, many practitioners ecology evolution without such training (ourselves included) may not have realized that by asserting value biodiversity conservation either general or specific terms, they stating “normative postulate:” judgment taken be true foundational further thinking. These assumptions based on some theory reasoning, one has been made fully explicit. Consequently, theories metrics empirical research founded hidden normative postulates which unaware. We consider five cases where this case: local vs. global diversity, prioritization evolutionary distinctness, species concepts, extinction hybridization, non-native species. Conflicts over interpretation data driven different parties holding conceptions philosophy possible, with little guidance how can best adjudicated. To extent true, there exists postulate problem” for researchers.