ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the appeal and history of scientific facts and truth in decision-making and the varying degrees of 'certainty' to which a 'fact' can be 'true' before discussing the consequences for political compromise. Political positions are increasingly informed by science. Science is said to have become inseparable from 'modernity' because science is 'regarded by the public as the major source of uncertainty and risk' while simultaneously constituting an important resource for expertise deemed necessary to cope with such uncertainty and risk. The appeal of fact-based action (including policymaking) is the promise to root contingent and fallible planning on surer grounds. A fact is something that one can be sure of; something that is 'pre-interpretive' or 'non-interpretive'. Compromising on 'facts' thus seems accordingly logically impossible. Scientific knowledge claims are commonly used or challenged in order to defend and promulgate a particular normative position: this much is commonly acknowledged.
