The book challenges traditional views of scientific objectivity from "summary" of Leviathan and the Air-Pump by Steven Shapin,Simon Schaffer
The concept of scientific objectivity has long been held as a fundamental principle in the pursuit of knowledge. It is commonly believed that scientists should strive to be neutral and unbiased in their investigations, free from personal beliefs or values that could influence their findings. However, in "Leviathan and the Air-Pump," this traditional view of scientific objectivity is challenged. Shapin and Schaffer argue that objectivity in science is not simply a matter of following a set of rules or procedures. Instead, they suggest that scientific knowledge is shaped by social and cultural factors, such as the interactions between scientists, the influence of political institutions, and the values of society at large. In this way, objectivity is not a fixed standard but a dynamic process that is constantly negotiated and contested. The authors use the historical case study of the dispute between Thomas Hobbes and Robert Boyle over the nature of air to illustrate their point. They show how Boyle's experimental practices were not as objective as they have been traditionally portrayed. Instead, his work was shaped by his own personal interests and beliefs, as well as the social context in which he operated. By highlighting the role of social factors in shaping scientific knowledge, Shapin and Schaffer challenge the idea that objectivity is a purely individual and rational pursuit. They argue that science is a social activity, influenced by a wide range of factors that go beyond simple observation and experimentation. In doing so, they call into question the traditional view of scientific objectivity as an ideal that can be easily achieved.
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