Sociology as a Serious Source of Anomaly in Thomas Kuhn's System of Science
Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
1-1997
Abstract
It is a testimony to the enduring importance of Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions that, 30 years on, its doctrines of normal science and paradigm, incommensurability and revolution continue to challenge metascien tists and stimulate vigorous debate. Critique has mainly come from philosophers and historians; by and large, interested sociologists have embraced Kuhn. Un justifiably so, this article argues, bringing to light a serious difficulty or anom aly in his account of the social side of science. Contrary to what he claims, scientific knowledge is not the achievement of organic communities. It is con structed in trans-epistemic arenas by diverse participants, laypeople, and specialists. Accepting community is a flawed concept in the sociology of science, and in appreciating the major role Kuhn assigned it, the Kuhnian system looks less robust than it did before.
Discipline
Philosophy
Research Areas
Humanities
Publication
Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Volume
27
Issue
4
First Page
466
Last Page
485
ISSN
0048-3931
Identifier
10.1177/004839319702700403
Publisher
SAGE
Citation
Jacobs, Struan, & MOONEY, T. Brian.(1997). Sociology as a Serious Source of Anomaly in Thomas Kuhn's System of Science. Philosophy of the Social Sciences, 27(4), 466-485.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/266
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1177/004839319702700403