The Social Studies of Science Merton | Kuhn | SSK | SSP

how science is organized and regulates itself emphasis on nature of relationships social aspects of production of knowledge no discussion about content or nature of knowledge knowledge blackboxed due to empirism & economical metaphor scientific knowledge independent of scientific activity Robert Merton | Kuhn | SSK | SSP Science as a social institution

The Structure of Scientific Revolution (1962) scientific criteria not universal development of scientific knowledge as object of sociological research external factors play a role in scientific choices Merton | Thomas Kuhn | SSK | SSP science as a social community

obduracy of classification due to: –normative value –economic metaphor philosophy =/= sociology of science –science is social –empirical & naturalistic Merton | Kuhn | SSK | SSP How are cognitive and social aspects of science related?

Macro: Edinburgh School –Barnes, Bloor, Shapin –‘interest’ of relevant groups Micro: Bath School –Collins –Empirical Program of Relativism (EPOR) interpretative flexibility closure wider context Merton | Kuhn | SSK | SSP Macro and Micro Sociological Analysis

Classification of social and cognitive aspects

investigation of activities, judgements and interpretations form of methodological internalism –microscopic study –‘how’ over ‘why’ questions –constructivist approach Merton | Kuhn | SSK | SSP Sociology of Scientific Practice

linguistic turn –Latour & Woolgar –process of persuasion Analysis of practical reasoning –-Knorr-Cetina, Lynch –analysis of scientific writing Discourse analysis –Gilbert & Mulkay –study of the organization of meaning Merton | Kuhn | SSK | SSP Sociology of Scientific Practice

Breakdown of classification scheme process of negotiation meaning of scientific observations and interpretations are socially constructed through contesting and modification scientific outcomes may depend on –argumentative skills –prestige –material resources Merton | Kuhn | SSK | SSP Sociology of Scientific Practice

Core of science is social because –Process of persuasion –contextual contingenties Breakdown of classification scheme But in transition from ‘scientists knowledge claim’ to ‘taken-for-granted fact’ we see construction of classification scheme distinction between cognitive - social is result instead of building blocks of the process of scientific inquiry Merton | Kuhn | SSK | SSP Sociology of Scientific Practice