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Balancing the physics of radiation: Challenges to the system of quantities and units in radiological protection
Author(s) -
David Mariano Gazineu,
Corrêa Mônica Ferreira,
Videira Antonio Augusto Passos
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
philosophy compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.973
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 1747-9991
DOI - 10.1111/phc3.12568
Subject(s) - radiological weapon , agency (philosophy) , commission , atomic energy , perspective (graphical) , philosophy of science , engineering ethics , field (mathematics) , task group , epistemology , political science , computer science , law , medicine , engineering , philosophy , engineering management , mathematics , artificial intelligence , pure mathematics , radiology
Ionizing radiation is present in various situations in the contemporary world. Defining the quantities and units for this field is a complex scientific task, especially the quantities used in radiological protection (RP) to estimate the damage caused to individuals exposed to radiation (detriment). This article highlights the lack of consensus in the scientific RP community regarding the quantities and units employed in practice from the perspective of the philosophy of science. The basic concepts related to the system of quantities are presented, followed by the problems and criticisms addressed by experts in the field. Several reasons for these problems are identified. The article discusses the scant interest on the part of philosophy of science in RP. The philosophy of science is still dominated by an analytical–conceptual perspective that pays little attention to the actual influence of certain structures better understood when considered from the institutional viewpoint, which is here exemplified by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).