The authors argue for a more complex view of scientific knowledge production from "summary" of Leviathan and the Air-Pump by Steven Shapin,Simon Schaffer
The argument put forth by Shapin and Schaffer emphasizes the need to move beyond simplistic notions of how scientific knowledge is generated. They contend that the traditional view of a linear process of discovery, where experiments lead inevitably to the establishment of objective truths, is inadequate. Instead, they advocate for a more nuanced understanding that recognizes the social and cultural factors at play in shaping scientific knowledge. The authors highlight the role of social interactions and power dynamics in the production of scientific knowledge. They argue that scientists are not simply dispassionate observers uncovering the natural world's truths but are influenced by their social contexts. For example, they point out how the debate between Thomas Hobbes and Robert Boyle over the air-pump was not just about experimental results b...
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