Sociology Of Science And Society

662 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Technology and its effect on society

HSS-1
Technology and Society
Reading – 8: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF FACTS AND ARTEFACTS
By TREVOR J. PINCH & WIEBE E. BIJKER

The article by Trevor J. Pinch and Wiebe E. Bijker “The Social Construction of Facts and Artifacts” talks about the “separation of science from technology” and how the study of science and technology can benefit each other. The authors draw attention to three bodies of literature in science and technology studies: Sociology of science, the science-technology relationship, and technology studies.
The first i.e. sociology of science explains views of different people; specifically scientists and researchers and they say that there are many theories and explanations for everything to be the true or false in science. Science and technology are interlinked with each other; they are separated by a thin line which makes it difficult to differentiate between them. Science is about discovering the truth and technology is about applying that truth. Pg (19) thirdly the Technology studies are very methodical and systematical. It is been divided into 3 categories, namely innovation studies, history of technology, and sociology of technology. Technology was considered as a ‘black box’ whose general behavior and attributes were considered to be common knowledge. The authors give a very good example of making of Bakelite by the use of waste material of war supplies, which gains importance after people discover how Bakelite can be extracted.
The authors then describe two approaches which explain the social construction of science and technology i.e. EPOR (The Empirical Programme of Relativism) and SCOT (Social Construction of Technology).The aims of EPOR can be explained in three stages. First stage suggests that there can...

... middle of paper ...

...ilieu, it scores more in respect to EPOR. Thus it can be seen that both EPOR and SCOT are very similar but SCOT has been developed recently and so it is more effective in solving real world problems in comparison to EPOR which has a very theoretical approach to solve a problem.
Even though the sociology of technology is very much under-developed, still there is scope for substantial expansion in this field. The research will definitely bear good results when sociology of science and sociology of technology are studied together extensively.
In the end I will say that I do not agree with the view of the authors. As the initial view of the author that technology and science are separate fields of study is quite wrong. The study of science requires technology and technology is based on study of sciences. Basically they depend on each other.
Sanchit Gupta
2013088

Show More
Related

  • Daguerreotype-Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre

    1379 Words  | 3 Pages

    Wiebe E Bijker, T. P. (1987). The Social Construction of Technological Systems. London: The MIT Press.

    Read More

  • Langdon Winner's Article: Upon Opening the Black Box and Finding it Empty: Social Constructivism and the Philosophy of Technology

    1583 Words  | 4 Pages

    Pinch, T. & Bijker, W. (1987). The Social Construction of Facts and Artifacts: Or how the Sociology of Science and the Sociology of Technology Might Benefit Each Other. Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Social Construction Of Facts And Artifacts

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The Social Construction of Facts and Artifacts” is about "integrated social constructivist approach towards the study of science and technology"(pg 399). The author's Pinch and Bijker discuss that even though it has been a practice to separate science and technology, but they are hugely connected because of this they might benefit from each other. The authors discuss about the three main parts of science and technology termed as "Sociology of science", "the science technology relationship" and the "technology studies".

    Read More

  • Galileo Galilei Renaissance Astronomer?

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    Andrew Ede and Lesley B. Cormack (eds). (2007). A History of Science in Society: A

    Read More

  • Langdon Winner's Theory Of Technological Determinism?

    1104 Words  | 3 Pages

    Technology is crucial in influencing society, therefore it is imperative to understand what influences technological development and how it changes society, such as social shaping and theories of technological determinism. Langdon Winner supports the social determination of technology through the findings of others and his theories of politically influenced technologies, thus Winner accounts for technological determinism through defining the theory in this context.

    Read More

  • Social Shaping of Technological Systems

    1341 Words  | 3 Pages

    The most general definition of technology is the application of science or knowledge and many fields of science have been promoted by technology. “Technology has always been present in human society, even from its very origin and it has always been in our lives as for the first begun, the question arises however, is technology powerful enough to control the society? Or is the society the reason behind the technology advancements in recent years?” (Paschal, P, p109)This essay will attempt to show an understanding of the meaning of the theory/concept social shaping of technology. Technology development should be seen as a mixture of different elements, and technological change as a constant process, where technology and social aspects are co-shaped during the development and application of technology in society.

    Read More

  • The Flight From Conversation Essay

    952 Words  | 2 Pages

    As a Professor in the Social Studies of Science and Technology in the Program in Science Turkle releases this article talking about a currently

    Read More

  • Jacques Ellul's Article on Techniques Integrates Machines with Society

    641 Words  | 2 Pages

    The second aspect in this article, Ellul also discussed is the “relation between science and technique”. It is quiet often believed that science precedes technique but that is not true according to the author, it is the technique that has led science to reach such great heights. Science and technique have a very thin horizon that separates them from each other. “Technique began to develop and extend itself only after science appeared; to progress, technique had to wait for science. Technique by means of repeated experiments, posed the problem...

    Read More

  • Useful Arts In The Nineteenth Century

    886 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term technology was coined as a response to the possibility of women becoming equivalent in the domain of work that involved technological processes. The semantic shift from useful arts to technology took form during the early decades of the twentieth century. By appropriating the idiom of science, industry, engineering, and anthropology these loosely defined associations augmented a new male authority at the end of the century (Oldenziel, 2000). Thus, for an object to be a component of technology it no longer could be described just as an object of physical manufacture. It had to be mechanically operated, or “machine-bound” and created by only those who withheld the knowledge, skills, and expertise to discuss its creation.

    Read More

  • Is Scientific Progress Inevitable?

    980 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to the article “is scientific progress inevitable?” can understand that advances in technology are in the order of nature and advances in technology are regular. This article may be expanded many ideas about the progress and development of technology. Technology must be progress, but the progress of scientific discovery may not be able to promote social development in a short time. Although the power source of social development is the advancement of technology, but technology discovery just a part of system and it is an integral part, but only "essential" conditions, rather than "full" condition. Anyway, the article has made the readers to

    Read More

  • History Of Science And Technology

    1775 Words  | 4 Pages

    Science and Technology has been around from the beginning of time. It evolved from the everyday efforts of people trying to improve their way of life. Throughout history, humankind has developed and utilized tools, machines, and techniques without understanding how or why they worked or comprehending their physical or chemical composition. Before we go any further a definition has to be given for both Science and Technology because they are both different in their own right even though the two are almost indistinguishable. According to the Oxford Dictionary Technology can be defined as the knowledge or use of the mechanical arts and applied sciences, while Science can be defined as the branch of knowledge involving systematized observation and experiment. Science can be further divided into three separate categories; Pure, Applied and Natural Sciences. In addition technology is often defined as applied science, it is simply the application of scientific knowledge to achieve a specific human purpose, however, historical evidence suggests technology is a product of science.

    Read More

  • Benifits Of Technology

    3007 Words  | 7 Pages

    Since the art of making fire and creating handcrafted tools, our civilization has come a long way. Science and Technology are making advances at an amazing rate. From telephones to the Internet, calculators to computers, cars to rockets and satellites, we are submerged in a sea of discoveries and inventions made possible by Science. Fields like Medicine and communications have made inroads into our cultures and thus our lifestyles.

    Read More

  • What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Scientific And Technological Advancements?

    1262 Words  | 3 Pages

    Advancements in science and technology have resulted in tensions between those members of society intrigued by these advancements, and those opposed to them. Whether it is from a political, environmental, ethical, or cultural point of view, there has always been a great debate with regards to the benefits of scientific and technological advancements to society. As discussed by Hard and Jamison, there have been many members of society that deem technology has led to a de-humanizing of society, in that humans have become increasingly obsessed with technology as a means of gaining materially. In opposition, as discussed by Ede and Cormack, technology has assisted humanity in furthering their knowledge and understanding of the world. As exemplified throughout this essay, there are arguments for both the benefits and disadvantages of these advancements.

    Read More

  • Science And Technology: The Importance Of Science In India

    1864 Words  | 4 Pages

    Today’s era is the era of science and technology. Science acts as a backbone, strengthening the foundation and plays a crucial role in development of a country. It talks about very simple things. The very basic laws explain very complex problems. Advances in science and technology are transforming our world at an implausible pace. We can’t escape from the significance of science in our world. It teaches us how to convert a complex problem to very simple one. It is present in every aspect of human life. From dawn to dusk we make use of different types of technologies gifted to us like television, mobile phones, computers, internet etc. Life is unbelievable without science. Science is not a single entity but a culmination of different types of

    Read More

  • What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Science And Technology

    1416 Words  | 3 Pages

    Science and technology both work together to improve the quality of human life. The inventions and discoveries of technology have given the human life many advantages and disadvantages.

    Read More

More about Sociology Of Science And Society

Open Document