Scientific authority is contingent on social factors from "summary" of Leviathan and the Air-Pump by Steven Shapin,Simon Schaffer
The idea that scientific authority is contingent on social factors is at the heart of the argument put forth in "Leviathan and the Air-Pump". This concept challenges the traditional view that scientific knowledge is purely objective and independent of the society in which it is produced. Instead, Shapin and Schaffer argue that scientific authority is shaped by the social context in which it is situated. In the book, the authors illustrate this concept through a study of the dispute between Thomas Hobbes and Robert Boyle over the validity of the air-pump experiment. They show how the outcome of this debate was not solely determined by the experimental evidence itself, but was also influenced by factors such as reputation, social status, and political power. Furthermore, Shapin and Schaffer demonstrate how the experimental results were interpreted and communicated in ways that reflected the social norms and values of the time. For example, they discuss how Boyle's use of elaborate demonstrations and public lectures helped to establish his authority as a scientific expert, while Hobbes' more skeptical approach was met with suspicion and criticism.- "Leviathan and the Air-Pump" challenges us to reconsider the nature of scientific knowledge and the ways in which it is produced and validated. This perspective reminds us that science is not a purely objective enterprise, but is deeply embedded in the social relationships and power dynamics of the society in which it operates. Ultimately, this book invites us to think more critically about the role of social factors in shaping scientific authority and to recognize the complex interplay between knowledge and society.
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