The Rational and the Social (RLE Social Theory)

How to Understand Science in a Social World

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book The Rational and the Social (RLE Social Theory) by James Robert Brown, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James Robert Brown ISBN: 9781317651291
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 21, 2014
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: James Robert Brown
ISBN: 9781317651291
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 21, 2014
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

To paraphrase Marx, sociologists have only interpreted science; the point is to improve it. The Rational and the Social attempts both. It begins by sketching recent sociological approaches to science, notably the strong programme – Bloor’s ‘science of science’ and Barnes’s ‘finitism’ – and that of the ‘anthropologists in the lab’, Collins and Latour and Woolgar. The author argues that although sociological accounts are valuable in many respects, when morals are drawn about the structure and epistemology of science, they are badly flawed. In rejecting the sociological theory of science, it is not necessary to conclude that science develops without reference to the social. James Robert Brown argues for an alternative account. He proposes a novel way of viewing the history of science as a source of evidence for how to do good science and argues that the most important aspect of methodology is that it is comparative. Rival theories are evaluated by comparison and the contribution of the social to this process is inevitable and should be acknowledged. This is the challenge to science.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

To paraphrase Marx, sociologists have only interpreted science; the point is to improve it. The Rational and the Social attempts both. It begins by sketching recent sociological approaches to science, notably the strong programme – Bloor’s ‘science of science’ and Barnes’s ‘finitism’ – and that of the ‘anthropologists in the lab’, Collins and Latour and Woolgar. The author argues that although sociological accounts are valuable in many respects, when morals are drawn about the structure and epistemology of science, they are badly flawed. In rejecting the sociological theory of science, it is not necessary to conclude that science develops without reference to the social. James Robert Brown argues for an alternative account. He proposes a novel way of viewing the history of science as a source of evidence for how to do good science and argues that the most important aspect of methodology is that it is comparative. Rival theories are evaluated by comparison and the contribution of the social to this process is inevitable and should be acknowledged. This is the challenge to science.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Vaccinations and Public Concern in History by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book The World of Perception by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Palmyra by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Situating Salsa by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Facing It Out by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Black Heretics, Black Prophets by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Japanese Encounters by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Encyclopedia of Contemporary Russian Culture by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Toward an Imperfect Education by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book The Siege and the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Numismatic Archaeology of North America by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Group and Team Coaching by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Arthur Conan Doyle and the Meaning of Masculinity by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book The Jurisprudence of Law's Form and Substance by James Robert Brown
Cover of the book Criminal Behavior Systems by James Robert Brown
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy