Making Natural Knowledge: Constructivism And The History Of Science (cambridge Studies In The History Of Science)

In Making Natural Knowledge: Constructivism and the History of Science, Jan Golinski reviews recent writing on the history of science and shows how it has been dramatically reshaped by a new understanding of science itself. In the last few years, scientific knowledge has come to be seen as a product of human culture, an approach that has challenged the tradition of the history of science as a story of steady and autonomous progress. New topics have emerged in historical research, including: the identity of the scientist, the importance of the laboratory, the role of language and instruments, and the connections with other realms of culture and society. Golinski has written a sympathetic but critical survey of this exciting field of research, at a level that can be appreciated by students or anyone else who wants an introduction to contemporary thinking in the development of the sciences. In Making Natural Knowledge: Constructivism And The History Of Science, Jan Golinski Reviews Recent Writing On The History Of Science And Shows How It Has Been Dramatically Reshaped By A New Understanding Of Science Itself. In The Last Few Years, Scientific Knowledge Has Come To Be Seen As A Product Of Human Culture, An Approach That Has Challenged The Tradition Of The History Of Science As A Story Of Steady And Autonomous Progress. Golinski Has Written A Sympathetic But Critical Survey Of This Exciting Field Of Research, At A Level That Can Be Appreciated By Students Or Anyone Else Who Wants In Introduction To Contemporary Thinking In The Development Of The Sciences.--jacket. Preface -- Introduction: Challenges To The Classical View Of Science -- 1. An Outline Of Constructivism -- 2. Identity And Discipline -- 3. The Place Of Production -- 4. Speaking For Nature -- 5. Interventions And Representations -- 6. Culture And Construction. Jan Golinski. Includes Bibliographical References. This book reviews recent writing on the history of science and shows how it has been dramatically reshaped by a new understanding of science itself. In the last few years, scientific knowledge has come to be seen as a product of human culture. This new approach has challenged the tradition of the history of science as a story of steady and autonomous progress.