Scientific knowledge and its social problems - Hardcover

Ravetz, Jerome R

3.12

8 ratings by Goodreads

9780198272137: Scientific knowledge and its social problems

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198272138 ISBN 13: 9780198272137

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1971

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This classic of what has become the field of science studies, published in 1971, dismantles the myths of impartiality, Truth seeking (with a capital T), and moral infallibility that surrounded science in the popular Western conception for roughly 200 years. He is especially good at demonstrating how value judgments play a role in the establishment of supposedly quantitative fact--in everything from knowing whether an instrument is properly calibrated to formulating meaningful lines of inquiry. The book pre-dates his formulation of post-normal science but sounds prescient themes regarding the nature of complex (aka, "wicked") problems.

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About the Author:

Jerome R. Ravetz is an environmental consultant and academic. He is best known for his books challenging the assumptions of scientific objectivity, discussing the science wars and post-normal science. Ravetz is an Associate Fellow at the Sa�d Business School, University of Oxford.

Review:

“Scientific Knowledge and Its Social Problems is both monumental and remarkable . . . a major contribution to the understanding of science.”—Jonathan Rosenhead, New Scientist and Science Journal

“[T]houghtful, incisive, scholarly, lucid, humane and sane. Everyone—but everyone—within or concerned about science should read it slowly and carefully.”—John Ziman, Nature

“This is a penetrating and novel account of the scientific activity.”—Times Literary Supplement

“Scientific Knowledge and Its Social Problems, Jerome R. Ravetz’s major contribution to the history and philosophy of science, should be of interest to anyone concerned with change in education.”—Robert McClintock, Teachers College Record

“Scientific Knowledge and Its Social Problems deserves to stand for some time to come as one of the landmarks of the new critical spirit which is transforming science from within in ways whose political and cultural importance cannot be exaggerated.”—Theodore Roszak, The Nation

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