Openness at a Crossroads in Science and Democracy

Openness has long been heralded as a fundamental value to scientific inquiry and democratic societies, yet is increasingly questioned given today's severe geopolitical turmoil and overwhelming commercialisation of research. This talk examines the multiple meanings of this notion and articulates a specific interpretation as the best way forward for scientific and technological developments. I briefly sketch the history of philosophical debates on openness and the role of inquiry in an open society. I consider the legacy of these views within contemporary understandings of Open Science, analysing the epistemologies of research presupposed by these views as well as their implications for scientific practice. I conclude by proposing a version of humane openness built on judicious connections which scientific research should incorporate to support social justice, democratic exchange and planetary health.