The Science Wars and the Future of the American Academic Profession

Abstract

In this context, developments in the relationship between science and the other disciplines must seem supremely ironic. History of science tended to be primarily of a celebratory nature, while philosophy of science was viewed by scientists as, well, philosophy—not about anything real . Studies of science are centered around the concept of social constructivism—those scientific facts are constructed by the activities of scientists and are not just sitting out there in nature, waiting to be picked up. An extensive body of science studies, from a variety of viewpoints—social, cultural, linguistic, feminist—has burgeoned. The outbreak of war signaled by the appearance of the E. M. Gross and Norman Levitt book and its call for scientists to change their attitude towards science studies from benign neglect to active combat. Presumably, tenure decisions and promotions at universities are based on scholarship, and academic scientists must take an interest in the academic decisions in other departments on campus.

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