Beyond the Science Wars

Ullica Segerstrale is Professor of Sociology at Illinois Institute of Technology and the author of Defenders of the Truth: The Battle for Science in the Sociobiology Debate and Beyond.

"Beyond the Science Wars provides an excellent, up-to-date, and scholarly analysis of the historical context and recent debates about science and 'antiscience.'" — Choice"This book proposes to offer 'a broad contextualization of the "science wars"—an ongoing debate between scientists and social scientists over the nature and meaning of science,' and it largely succeeds in this effort. It provides a helpful and perceptive clarification of the intellectual struggle between certain practitioners of STS (Science and Technology Studies) and some self-appointed spokespersons for science … invaluable in helping readers understand and sort out the arguments offered by science warriors of every persuasion … current and timely … Its editor and authors bring to their task impressive learning as well as deep historical and broad social perspectives … its unpolemical characterization, contextualization and analysis of the science wars will serve as an effective and useful contribution to our understanding of this intellectual engagement." — Contemporary Sociology"Readers interested in the science wars and its fallout should find much of this book illuminating." — The Quarterly Review of Biology"Any scientist interested in establishing a more constructive dialogue with the science and technology studies community would be well-advised to read th[is] work." — Physics Today"I really enjoyed reading this book, both for its insights into the 'Science Wars' and clarification of the issues (and the false issues or straw men) and for its perspectives on the history and context and motivations of this debate. It clarifies what is really at stake philosophically, politically, and sociologically, as well as the rhetorical strategies of the various participants and their efforts." — William E. Evenson, Brigham Young University"This book is like a breath of fresh air in a room heated to suffocation by rancorous but irrelevant debate. All of the articles are fair and balanced and provide perspectives that are usually missing." — Marjorie Senechal, editor of The Cultures of Science"Since this controversy has attracted widespread, recurring media attention that has been taken to be symptomatic of a broader trend in academia, a volume such as this one, analyzing debate from a moderate critical perspective, could attract broader interest." — Henry Etzkowitz, coeditor of Capitalizing Knowledge: New Intersections of Industry and Academia

• Preface 1. Science and Science Studies: Enemies or Allies? Ullica SegerstråleContextualizing the "Science Wars"The Constructivist Critique1994—The Annus Horribilis and AfterWhy the Constructivist Position Bothers ScientistsWho has the right to criticize science? A Hidden Issue in the Science WarsThe Meaning of Alan Sokal's HoaxWho owns the history of science? The Aftermath of the Sokal HoaxThe Science Wars Continue: Closing in on Science StudiesPlan of the BookBringing the Scientist Back In2. Antiscience in Current Science and Technology Studies Henry H. BauerRecent DevelopmentsIs there really antagonism against science in STS?The Fact of Antiscientific SentimentAntiscientific Sentiment in PerspectiveIncomprehension of ScienceHypocrisy: Preaching Versus PracticeThe Purpose of STSHow did STS come into being?My Intellectual Dissatisfaction with Current STSDisciplinary DilemmasUnder what circumstances is STS likely to thrive?3. Some Patterns and Processes in the Development of a Scientific Sociology of Science: Notes from a Sixty-Year Memoir Bernard BarberWriting the History of Social Studies of ScienceThe Application of General Social System TheoryThe Political and Ideological ResponseThe Influence of Nonsystematic TheoriesNo Theory at All: The Importance of a Striking Empirical FactThe Importance of New Research MethodsThe Weakness of "The Strong Program"The Cross-Fertilization of Sociological SpecialtiesThe Cross-Fertilization of DisciplinesThe Importance of Values and IdeologiesIn Brief Conclusion4. Anti-Antiscience: A Phenomenon in Search of an Explanation Part I. Anatomy of Recent "Antiscience" Allegations Ullica SegerstråleTaking the Science Warriors SeriouslyThe Varieties of "Antiscience"Can scientists be antiscience? The Link between the Science Wars and Recent Nature-Nurture DebatesKarl Popper's Adverse Effect on the British Science Budget: A Thesis in 1980s Britain5. Anti-Antiscience: A Phenomenon in Search of an Explanation Part II. The Conflict about the Social Role of Science Ullica SegerstråleThe Struggle about the Cultural Meaning of Science"Antiscience" As a Heuristic DeviceThe Political Meaning of Scientific ObjectivityThe Missing Reason in the Science Wars6. Visions of Science in the Twentieth Century Valéry CholakovChanging Views of ScienceScience: The Endless FrontierScience: A Direct Productive ForceThe Science of ScienceChemistry: The Land of OpportunityScience: A Dangerous PowerThe End of Big ScienceRedefining Science7. Postacademic Science: Constructing Knowledge with Networks and Norms John ZimanScience As a Cultural FormAcademic ScienceElements of the Scientific EthosCUDOS InstitutionalizedNew Modes of Knowledge ProductionNetworking Intellectual PropertyProblem Solving in Local ContextsIncorporating Interests into KnowledgeWho sets the problem?What counts as excellence?From Specialized Knowledge to ExpertiseWhere do the pipers collect their paychecks?Postindustrial SciencePostmodern KnowledgeEpistemic Features of Mode 2What Price Objectivity?8. A Social Theory of Objectivity Stephan FuchsThe Many Meanings of ObjectivityObjectivity As RhetoricObjectivity As PowerThe Standpoint ParadoxSome Empirical Difficulties with the Critical TheoryObjectivity and Social StatusSome Suggestions for a New ObjectivityObjectivity As MediumThe Binding Effects of ObjectivityTrustingSome Possible ObjectionsConclusion9. Science Studies through the Looking Glass: An Intellectual Itinerary Steve FullerThe Science Wars: A Conflict Waiting to HappenThe Prehistory of the Science WarsSTS's Induction into the "Academic Left" (And My Induction into STS)The Battle of BritainThe Sokal HoaxWhat should have been done? What can be done?Contributors Index