Scientific Controversies: Case Studies in the Resolution and Closure of Disputes in Science and Technology

Abstract Chinese studies are going through a period of reforms. This article appraises what could constitute the theoretical and methodological foundations of contemporary sinology today. The author suggests an approach of “Chinese culture” by drawing from recent frameworks of Science and Technology Studies (STS). The paper starts with current debates in Asian studies, followed by a historical overview of the concept of culture in anthropology. Then, two short case studies are presented with regard to two different STS approaches: studies of expertise and experience and the notion of interactional expertise, and the framework of waves and forms. A general argument is thereby sketched which suggests how “Chinese culture” can be understood from the perspective of materiality.

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REFORMATION AND THE DISTRUST OF THE PROJECTOR IN THE HARTLIB CIRCLE

The Historical Journal ◽

10.1017/s0018246x12000064 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

pp. 375-397 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

KOJI YAMAMOTO

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

History Of Science ◽

Science And Technology ◽

Analytical Framework ◽

Shared Experience ◽

Useful Knowledge ◽

New Synthesis ◽

Wide Range ◽

History Of

ABSTRACTCase-studies of the circle of Samuel Hartlib, one of the most prolific groups of reformers in post-Reformation Europe, are flourishing. The uncovering of rich details has, however, made it difficult to draw a meaningful generalization about the circle's bewilderingly wide range of activities. Focusing on the circle's promotion of ‘useful knowledge’, this article offers an analytical framework for building a new synthesis. The eclectic and seemingly chaotic pursuit of useful knowledge emerged, it will be shown, as differing responses to, and interpretations of, pervasive distrust and the pursuit of reformation. The article thus explores how loosely-shared experience shaped the circle's ambivalent practices of collaboration and exclusion. The study thereby contributes not only to studies of the Hartlib circle, but also to the historiography of post-Reformation culture and burgeoning studies of trust and credibility in the history of science and technology.

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Application of Potential Biological Agents in Green Bioremediation Technology

Waste Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-1210-4.ch054 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1192-1216

Author(s):

Debajyoti Kundu ◽

Deblina Dutta ◽

Subinoy Mondal ◽

Smaranya Haque ◽

Jatindra Nath Bhakta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Environmental Pollution ◽

Case Studies ◽

Cost Reduction ◽

Science And Technology ◽

Biological Agents ◽

Organic Wastes ◽

Health Protection ◽

Public Health Protection ◽

Biological Organisms

Upgradation and advancement in every field related to mankind leads to the origin of a contaminated environment. Development in science and technology enabled humans to combat the rate of contaminants by using biological agents, commonly known as bioremediation. The chapter deals with the different species of bioremediation agents viz. bacteria, fungi, algae, plants, animals and organic wastes to treat diverse environmental pollution. The extent of environmental bioremediation encompasses inorganic viz. arsenic, chromium, mercury, cyanide etc. and organics viz. Hydrocarbons, petroleum, pesticides etc. Thus, the reasons for the control of water and soil by considering bioremediation are concern on public health, protection of environment, and cost reduction of decontamination. Different case studies have been demonstrated herein to understand the enigmatic process and evaluate practical efficacy of the environment to decontaminate itself by the presence of various biological organisms.

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„Gentlemen in, Genuine Knowledge out“? Zum Status wissenschaftlicher Normen für die Erkenntnissicherung

Analyse & Kritik ◽

10.1515/auk-2016-0119 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lara Huber

Keyword(s):

Genetic Engineering ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

Case Studies ◽

History Of Science ◽

Science And Technology ◽

Scientific Practices ◽

History Of ◽

Genuine Knowledge

ZusammenfassungCase studies in the history of science and technology have shown that scientific norms, so called standards, contribute significantly to the evolution of scientific practices. They arise predominantly, but not exclusively, on the basis of interactions with instruments of measurement and other technical devices. As regards experimental practices standards are mandatory preparatory procedures in a variety of designs, including the inbreeding and genetic engineering of experimental organisms (e.g. transgenic mice). I claim that scientific norms not only regulate mere technical preconditions of research but also guide experimental practices, for example with regard to the stabilisation and validation of phenomena. Against this background, the paper introduces different kinds of scientific norms and elaborates on the question if they are means to epistemic ends (e.g. stability).

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The bad expert

Social Studies of Science ◽

10.1177/0306312720970282 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 030631272097028

Author(s):

Paige L Sweet ◽

Danielle Giffort

Keyword(s):

Domestic Violence ◽

Case Studies ◽

Network Model ◽

Science And Technology Studies ◽

Science And Technology ◽

Turning Points ◽

Cultural Factors ◽

Sociology Of Professions ◽

Professional Credibility ◽

Scientific Narratives

We focus on two cases in which participants narrate and perform a new culture of expertise by constructing a bad expert, a reviled or dangerous figure of scientific credibility gone wrong. We show that a key mechanism in the construction of expertise cultures is the use of antithesis performances, which are performances of scientific and professional credibility that rely on telling stories about a scientific enemy or ostracized Other. By performing the antithesis of the bad expert, actors help generate turning points in expertise, allowing new cultures of expertise to emerge. Our two case studies are: (1) feminist therapeutic expertise related to domestic violence, and (2) the revival of psychedelic medicine. In explicating these cases, we link the jurisdictional model of expertise (from the sociology of professions) with the network model of expertise (from science and technology studies): Cultural factors such as scientific narratives and embodied performances link together expert domains and forge new boundaries around expert practice.

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On Theory–Methods Packages in Science and Technology Studies

Science Technology & Human Values ◽

10.1177/01622439211040241 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 016224392110402

Author(s):

Antti Silvast ◽

Mikko J. Virtanen

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Review Essay ◽

Network Theory ◽

Science And Technology Studies ◽

Science And Technology ◽

Actor Network Theory ◽

Theory Method ◽

Technology Studies ◽

Research Designs ◽

Selection Of

Our review essay contributes to the long-standing and vibrant discussion in science and technology studies (STS) on methods, methodologies, and theory–method relationships. We aim to improve the reflexivity of research by unpacking the often implicit assumptions that imbue research conduct and by offering practical tools through which STS researchers can recognize their research designs and think through them in a new way. To achieve these aims, we analyze different compositions of theories, methods, and empirics in three different STS approaches—actor–network theory, the biography of artifacts and practices, and ethnomethodology—by employing the concept of a theory–methods package (TMP). A selection of theoretical cornerstone texts and case studies in infrastructure research from each tradition serves as our material. Our findings point, first, to differences between the TMPs of the reviewed approaches and to the internal diversity of theory–method relationships in each approach. Second, we found some intriguing similarities between the approaches and discuss potential complementarities of their theory–method fits.

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