Kristin Schaupp (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire)
Recent philosophical work on disagreement and consensus provides insight into how apparent consensus proceedings can mask disagreement. I demonstrate the undeniable impact that decision-making procedures have by examining the events leading up to the explosion of NASA's Space Shuttle Challenger. I argue that this not only allows us to gain a more complete understanding of what led to the disastrous decision to launch the Challenger, but it also shows us that an apparent consensus approach can conceal even substantial dissent. This, in turn, illustrates why the identification of potential abuses of apparent consensus proceedings is crucial for good scientific practice.
