Co-Evolution and Choice in Science and Technology Policy

Abstract

In this work, we develop the argument that technological progress emerges from the co-evolution between bodies of practice and bodies of understanding. We formally explore some consequences of the existence of mutually-dependent selection processes at work in both realms (co-evolution), and we extract implications regarding catalysts of co-evolution, as well as blocking factors. Then, we pick out blocking factors, and drawing on the concepts of fuzzy sets and choice structures, we propose a tentative strategy for decision-making within co-evolutionary environments. The analysis and the exploration of this proposal lead us to obtain a statistical index (the T–index) which may be relevant for science and technology policy. We suggest procedures for the application of the index, and we illustrate the whole analysis with a real case (the energy storage problem). Finally, we summarize our conclusions.