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Understanding science from the perspective of the sociology of scientific knowledge: an overview

The Queen's University of Belfast

In this paper I argue that the analytic perspective known as the `sociology of scientific knowledge' (SSK) provides an appropriate platform for examining issues in the public understanding of science. In particular. I suggest that three pervasive features of academic scientific practice identified by SSK—trust, judgement and long-termism—are central to interpreting difficulties with the `public understanding of science' in many situations of public controversy. The paper concludes by identifying areas where studies in SSK and the public understanding of science would be of mutual benefit.

Public Understanding of Science, Vol. 3, No. 3, 245-258 (1994)
DOI: 10.1088/0963-6625/3/3/001


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