Knowledge and Utility: Implications for the Sociology of Knowledge

In this paper an attempt is made to widen the scope of the current debate about the possibility of subjecting scientific knowledge to sociological analysis. It is suggested that in identifying scientific knowledge as epistemologically special, and as exempt from sociological analysis, sociologists h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social studies of science 1979-02, Vol.9 (1), p.63-80
Main Author: Mulkay, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Application/Applications
Applied sociology
Discussion Paper
Mortality
Relativity
Science/Sciences (see also Scientific)
Social epistemology
Social studies learning
Social theories
Sociology
Technological development
Technological innovation
Technology
Technology transfer
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Description
Summary:In this paper an attempt is made to widen the scope of the current debate about the possibility of subjecting scientific knowledge to sociological analysis. It is suggested that in identifying scientific knowledge as epistemologically special, and as exempt from sociological analysis, sociologists have tended to make two basic assumptions; namely, that scientific theories can be clearly validated by successful practical application and that the general theoretical formulations of science do regularly generate such practical applications. These assumptions, as customarily interpreted, pose a major challenge for any sociological analysis which views scientific knowledge as the contingent outcome of interpretative and context-dependent social acts. It is argued, however, in some detail, that the validity of these assumptions is doubtful and that the usefulness of science is no barrier to the full sociological analysis of scientific knowledge.
ISSN:0306-3127
1460-3659
DOI:10.1177/030631277900900103