Inventions in Sociology

This book presents a collection of old and new essays exploring the author's unique contributions to the sociology of science, mathematics, logic, robotics, brain, and god. Known for his defense of a strong social constructionist approach to the hard problems in the sociology of science, the power and range of Restivo's interests and studies are discussed in this unique text. The essays range from his introduction of the sociology of objectivity early in his career to his recent construction of a social brain paradigm. The author situates himself in the context of the leading paradigms in science studies and his relationships with leading figures in the field including Latour, Woolgar, Needham, and D.T. Campbell. The book demonstrates a general theoretical focus on the rejection of transcendence. He rejects Platonism in mathematics and socially situates consciousness, genius, and God. The author's wide ranging interdisciplinary competencies reflect classical and postmodern influences and will be an invaluable reference for researchers working in this field.

Illustrates the singular contributions Sal Restivo has made to the field Discusses Restivo's introduction of the sociology of objectivity to his recent theories of the social brain paradigm Offers a powerful defense of social constructionism as the fundamental theorem of sociology

Autorentext

Sal Restivo retired in 2017 after a career as a professor, lecturer, and occupant of endowed chairs in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Brazil, and China. He is a founding member and former president of the Society for Social Studies of Science. His most recent books are Einstein's Brain (2020) and Society and the Death of God (2021).

Klappentext

This book presents a collection of old and new essays exploring the author s unique contributions to the sociology of science, mathematics, logic, robotics, brain, and god. Known for his defense of a strong social constructionist approach to the hard problems in the sociology of science, the power and range of Restivös interests and studies are discussed in this unique text. The essays range from his introduction of the sociology of objectivity early in his career to his recent construction of a social brain paradigm. The author situates himself in the context of the leading paradigms in science studies and his relationships with leading figures in the field including Latour, Woolgar, Needham, and D.T. Campbell. The book demonstrates a general theoretical focus on the rejection of transcendence. He rejects Platonism in mathematics and socially situates consciousness, genius, and God. The author s wide ranging interdisciplinary competencies reflect classical and postmodern influences and will be an invaluable reference for researchers working in this field.

Inhalt

1. Paradigms and Programmes.- 2. Give Me a Laboratory and I Will Rewrite Science.- 3. Inside a Scientific Laboratory: An Ethnography of Scientific Practice.- 4. The Invention of Science: An Orientalist Perspective .- 5. The Sociology of Objectivity.- 6. Social Construction: The Fundamental Theorem.- 7. Wild Men and Winnowers: Donald T. Campbell.- 8. Cavaliers And Pointillists: Steve Woolgar.- 9. Surely, You're Joking, Bruno Latour?.- 10. Science East & West: Joseph Needham.- 11. Dangerous Abstractions: STS and The Unabomber.- 12. The Yin And Yang Of Scientific Practice: Philosophers and Sociologists.- 13. Requiem for Plato: The Sociology of Mathematics.- 14. Your Social Brain: Searching for Mind and Consciousness in John Wayne's America.- 15. Romancing & Dancing with Robots.- 16. Sustainable Journeys: Daedalus, Icarus, Tantalus and The Future of Science and the World.- 17. Post-Truthism: An Era or an Intellectual Strategy?.- 18. Conclusion: Paradigm For The Sociology of Knowledge.