Micro-studies of the Manufacturing of Knowledge Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods | lab-society

Focus on the ‘other’ Analysis of cultural shape, habits, objects and actions Asymmetric perspective: primitive versus civilized Science and technology Focus on non-western cultures Focus on differences and similarities Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society Classic Anthropology

Focus on western culture as well Symmetric perspective Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society Modern Anthropology

Shift van S.S.K. to S.S.P Concept of science and technology as practice: – feature of industrialized culture –as specific ethnographic domain Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society Science and technology studies

TOOLS: –1 Cultural perspective –2 Expertise in the study of knowledge systems –3 Instruments to study the material culture METHODS –1 Genre of ethnography –2 Participant observation –3 Outsiders perspective – Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society WHAT HAS ANTHROPOLOGY TO OFFER TO STS?

Symmetric approach: –others - ours –human - things –myths - science –western - non western Concept of ‘culture’ in relation to science and technology practices native’s point of view thick description –Clifford Geertz Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society TOOLS 1: CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Definition of culture: –“A historically developed pattern of meanings which are expressed through symbolic forms which are used to communicate about, to preserve and develop the knowledge about life and the way we relate to life’ (Geertz) locally and historically defined Obduracy Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society TOOLS 2: KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

Practice of usage Role of objects in STS –ANT: agency –resembles ‘object’ in primitive cultures in classical anthropology Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods | lab-society TOOLS 3: MATERIAL CULTURE

’Laboratory life’ by Latour and Woolgar Genre of ethnography –notion of culture –space participant observation –spectrum of activities –social structure –local historical practice –communication outsiders perspective –different conceptual frame (second order concepts) Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society METHODS

Characterized by: –direct observation of activities –mapping of instrumental, symbolic and social environment involved in construction of facts/artefacts science and technology practice are considered as contextual practices bound to local circumstances –facts are local Transfer of scientific products is problematic Solution –normalize lab products –change society to lab conditions Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society LABORATORY STUDIES

TWO PERSPECTIVES: –1. The lab is the result of social relations (knorr-Cetina) –2. The lab produces society (Latour) Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society WHAT IS THE RELATION BETWEEN THE LAB AND SOCIETY?

Karin Knorr-Cetina Lab is the result of social relations in society World outside is source of of funding, external disciplinary contacts, symbolic, financial and social means Society is not controlled by science, but the lab is the location where social conflicts are discussed and solved Lab itself is no active institution but a passive location Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society 1. The lab is the result of social relations

Bruno Latour: ‘give me a laboratory and I raise the world’ Society adjust itself to the conditions of the lab Co-production of nature and culture lab transforms the chaotic world into an orderly world transformation in scale asymmetric power relation: sciences defines reality Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society 2. The lab produces society

Critique on Latour’s perspective: –Over estimation of power of the lab –Lab products can change dramatically outside the lab –Boundary between lab and society is fading Ulrich Beck: Scientification of Society –first stage: scientific products applied on social problems (technological fix) –second stage: focus of science on social problems as well as problems caused by science itself –Socialization of science and technology + Scientification of society Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society 2. The lab produces society

Extending the scope of ethnographic studies in STS –lab is just one location of knowledge production –shift from social construction of facts/artifacts to cultural reconstruction of scientific products Developing an interdisciplinary critical cultural approach –from anthropology to cultural studies Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society METHODOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS