Myrdal and the Problem of Objectivity: From Theory to ESG Practice

This article examines the concept of objectivity in the social sciences through the lens of Gunnar Myrdal's theory, applying it to contemporary ESG practice. The author challenges the idea of "value-freedom," arguing that every study and business model is based on hidden assumptions. The text details the mechanisms of rationalization and opportunistic ignorance that allow for the selective treatment of data to stabilize the social order. The example of the "American Credo" serves as an illustration of the conflict between declared values and economic reality. The solution to this problem lies not in feigned neutrality, but in a procedural reconstruction of objectivity based on the transparency of premises and the subjection of value judgments to public scrutiny. This is a necessary step for risk modelers striving for reliability and ethical transparency in a world dominated by algorithmic biases.