Scientific Knowledge: A Sociological Analysis

Although science was once seen as the product of individual great men working in isolation, we now realize that, like any other creative activity, science is a highly social enterprise, influenced in subtle as well as obvious ways by the wider culture and values of its time. Scientific Knowledge is the first introduction to social studies of scientific knowledge.The authors, all noted for their contributions to science studies, have organized this book so that each chapter examines a key step in the process of doing science. Using case studies from cognitive science, physics, and biology to illustrate their descriptions and applications of the social study of science, they show how this approach provides a crucial perspective on how science is actually done.Scientific Knowledge will be of interest not only to those engaged in science studies, but also to anyone interested in the practice of science.

Politics & Social Sciences

Bloor, David

Henry, John

Barnes, Barry

Social Sciences

University of Chicago Press

Although science was once seen as the product of individual great men working in isolation, we now realize that, like any other creative activity, science is a highly social enterprise, influenced in subtle as well as obvious ways by the wider culture and values of its time. Scientific Knowledge is the first introduction to social studies of scientific knowledge. The authors, all noted for their contributions to science studies, have organized this book so that each chapter examines a key step in the process of doing science. Using case studies from cognitive science, physics, and biology to illustrate their descriptions and applications of the social study of science, they show how this approach provides a crucial perspective on how science is actually done. Scientific Knowledge will be of interest not only to those engaged in science studies, but also to anyone interested in the practice of science.

The Enigma of the Aerofoil: Rival Theories in Aerodynamics, 1909-1930

Why do aircraft fly? How do their wings support them? In the early years of aviation, there was an intense dispute between British and German experts over the question of why and how an aircraft wing provides lift. The British, under the leadership of the great Cambridge mathematical physicist Lord Rayleigh, produced highly elaborate investigations of the nature of discontinuous flow, while the Germans, following Ludwig Prandtl in Göttingen, relied on the tradition called “technical mechanics” to explain the flow of air around a wing. Much of the basis of modern aerodynamics emerged from this remarkable episode, yet it has never been subject to a detailed historical and sociological analysis. In The Enigma of the Aerofoil, David Bloor probes a neglected aspect of this important period in the history of aviation. Bloor draws upon papers by the participants—their restricted technical reports, meeting minutes, and personal correspondence, much of which has never before been published—and reveals the impact that the divergent mathematical traditions of Cambridge and Göttingen had on this great debate. Bloor also addresses why the British, even after discovering the failings of their own theory, remained resistant to the German circulation theory for more than a decade. The result is essential reading for anyone studying the history, philosophy, or sociology of science or technology—and for all those intrigued by flight.

History

Europe

Why do aircraft fly? How do their wings support them? In the early years of aviation, there was an intense dispute between British and German experts over the question of why and how an aircraft wing provides lift. The British, under the leadership of the great Cambridge mathematical physicist Lord Rayleigh, produced highly elaborate investigations of the nature of discontinuous flow, while the Germans, following Ludwig Prandtl in Göttingen, relied on the tradition called “technical mechanics” to explain the flow of air around a wing. Much of the basis of modern aerodynamics emerged from this remarkable episode, yet it has never been subject to a detailed historical and sociological analysis. In The Enigma of the Aerofoil, David Bloor probes a neglected aspect of this important period in the history of aviation. Bloor draws upon papers by the participants—their restricted technical reports, meeting minutes, and personal correspondence, much of which has never before been published—and reveals the impact that the divergent mathematical traditions of Cambridge and Göttingen had on this great debate. Bloor also addresses why the British, even after discovering the failings of their own theory, remained resistant to the German circulation theory for more than a decade. The result is essential reading for anyone studying the history, philosophy, or sociology of science or technology—and for all those intrigued by flight.

Americas

The first edition of this book profoundly challenged and divided students of philosophy, sociology, and the history of science when it was published in 1976. In this second edition, Bloor responds in a substantial new Afterword to the heated debates engendered by his book.

Knowledge and Social Imagery

Wittgenstein: A Social Theory of Knowledge

Columbia Univ. Pr.

From the rear cover of this 213 page book: David Bloor's book presents a systematic exposition of Wittgenstein's later philosophical work, emphasizing its strong sociological and naturalistic thrust. In his later writings, Wittgenstein was consistent in stressing the priority of society over the individual and regarding individual actions and beliefs as natural phenomena. His appreciation of the full significance of the fact that people are social animals and that knowledge is a collective achievement led him into building what might be called 'a social theory of knowledge'. His work represents a determined assault on some of our most cherished myths about knowledge and rationality. Unfortunately. his antipathy to positive theorizing meant that he stopped short of propounding theories based on the concepts explored in his writing, such as his central theme of language-games. [This book] shows how Wittgenstein's ideas can be developed using examples drawn from history, anthropology and the social sciences. The book breaks out of the narrow conventions that usually surround discussions of Wittgenstein's works, not only by its use of empirical material, but also through the author's attempt to develop a systematic theory of language-games. Throughout the book, careful attentions is paid to the relationship between Wittgenstein's ideas and those of other thinkers such as Buhler, Skinner, Habermas, Durkheim, Mary Douglas, and Winch."

Clearly and engagingly written, this volume is vital reading for students of philosophy and sociology, and anyone interested in Wittgenstein's later thought. David Bloor provides a challenging and informative evaluation of Wittgenstein's account of rules and rule-following. Arguing for a collectivist reading, Bloor offers the first consistent sociological interpretation of Wittgenstein's work for many years.

Wittgenstein, Rules and Institutions

Philosophy

Routledge

Clearly and simply written, this book provides the first consistent sociological reading of Wittgenstein's work for many years.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bloor, David. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bloor, David

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bloor, David. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Scientific Knowledge: A Sociological Analysis

Scientific Knowledge: A Sociological Analysis

The Enigma of the Aerofoil: Rival Theories in Aerodynamics, 1909-1930

The Enigma of the Aerofoil: Rival Theories in Aerodynamics, 1909-1930

Knowledge and Social Imagery

Knowledge and Social Imagery

Wittgenstein: A Social Theory of Knowledge

Wittgenstein: A Social Theory of Knowledge

Wittgenstein, Rules and Institutions

Wittgenstein, Rules and Institutions