description Bent Flyvbjerg Overview
Bent Flyvbjerg is a Danish scholar whose work spans planning, public policy, social science methodology, and the management of major projects. Making Social Science Matter, published in 2001, argues for a context-sensitive, practical social science concerned with power and judgment rather than imitation of natural-science prediction. He is also known for empirical research on megaproject cost overruns, schedule risks, forecasting, and decision-making.
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What is Bent Flyvbjerg's main argument in Making Social Science Matter?
In "Making Social Science Matter" (2001), Flyvbjerg argues that the social sciences should not try to imitate the natural sciences but instead cultivate phronesis — Aristotelian practical wisdom about values, power, and context. He contends this case-based, judgment-oriented approach is better suited to understanding human affairs than the pursuit of universal predictive laws.
What is Bent Flyvbjerg known for regarding megaprojects?
Flyvbjerg is widely recognized for documenting systematic cost overruns and schedule delays in large infrastructure projects such as bridges, railways, and dams. His research, compiled in works like "Megaprojects and Risk," identifies recurring patterns of optimism bias and strategic misrepresentation in project planning.
What does Flyvbjerg mean by phronesis?
Flyvbjerg draws on Aristotle's concept of phronesis — practical, context-dependent judgment that involves ethical deliberation about what is good for people in specific situations. He contrasts phronesis with episteme (theoretical knowledge) and techne (technical craft), arguing social science should focus on this kind of situated, power-sensitive wisdom.
Where does Bent Flyvbjerg hold academic positions?
Flyvbjerg has held positions at Oxford University's Saïd Business School and at Aalborg University in Denmark, among other institutions. His work bridges planning theory, public policy methodology, and the management of large-scale infrastructure projects.
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