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The debate highlighted the role of credibility in science from "summary" of Leviathan and the Air-Pump by Steven Shapin,Simon Schaffer

The debate over the merits of Hobbesian and Boylean approaches to knowledge production brought to the forefront the critical issue of credibility in the practice of science. Both parties sought to establish their credibility by employing different methods and criteria. Hobbes emphasized the importance of authority and reputation in determining the veracity of scientific claims. He argued that the credibility of a statement derived from the credibility of the person making it – a position that drew on traditional modes of knowledge production prevalent in the seventeenth century. In contrast, Boyle advocated for the experimental method as the primary means of establishing credibility in scientific inquiry. He believed that credibility should be based on empirical evidence and reproducibility rather than the reputation or authority of the individual making the claim. Boyle's approach was rooted in a more modern understanding of knowledge production, which prioritized observation and experimentation over mere assertion. The debate between Hobbes and Boyle underscored the tension between different conceptions of credibility in science. While Hobbes placed emphasis on the authority of the speaker, Boyle focused on the reliability of the method employed. This clash of perspectives highlighted the complex relationship between knowledge, power, and credibility in the scientific community.
  1. The debate between Hobbes and Boyle revealed that credibility in science is not a straightforward concept but is instead shaped by a variety of factors, including personal reputation, methodological rigor, and social context. The outcome of the debate had profound implications for the future of scientific inquiry, as it laid the foundation for the modern scientific method based on empirical evidence and experimental verification.
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Leviathan and the Air-Pump

Steven Shapin

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