David Bloor is a British sociologist of science who is one of the leading figures in the strong programme in the sociology of knowledge. He is known for his work on the sociology of scientific knowledge, which argues that scientific knowledge is not objective but is instead socially constructed.
Key contributions of Bloor:
The strong programme: Bloor is one of the founders of the strong programme in the sociology of knowledge. The strong programme argues that scientific knowledge is not objective but is instead socially constructed. This means that scientific knowledge is influenced by the social and historical context in which it is produced.
The symmetry principle: Bloor argues that the sociology of knowledge should be symmetrical in its approach. This means that sociologists should treat all knowledge claims, including scientific knowledge, as being equally likely to be influenced by social and historical factors.
The reflexivity principle: Bloor argues that sociologists must be reflexive about their own knowledge claims. This means that sociologists should be aware of how their own social and historical context might influence their research and findings.
The micro-macro link: Bloor argues that there is a link between micro-level social interactions and macro-level social structures. This means that the social construction of scientific knowledge is shaped by both individual actions and social structures.
The role of language: Bloor argues that language plays a central role in the social construction of scientific knowledge. This means that the way that scientists talk about and represent the world shapes their understanding of the world.
Criticisms of Bloor:
Bloor’s work has been criticized for being too relativistic and for denying the possibility of objective knowledge. Some critics have also argued that Bloor’s approach is not symmetrical enough, as it focuses more on the social construction of scientific knowledge than on the social construction of other types of knowledge.
Enduring influence of Bloor:
Despite the criticisms, Bloor’s work has had a significant impact on the sociology of knowledge. His ideas have been widely debated and discussed, and they have helped to shape the field of sociology in important ways.
Bloor’s work is also relevant to other fields, such as philosophy, anthropology, and science studies. His ideas have been used to examine the social construction of knowledge in a variety of different contexts.
books
Knowledge and Social Imagery (1976): This is Bloor’s seminal work on the sociology of scientific knowledge. In it, he outlines the key tenets of the strong programme, including the symmetry principle, the reflexivity principle, and the micro-macro link.
Wittgenstein: A Social Theory of Knowledge (1983): In this book, Bloor applies the strong programme to Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language. He argues that Wittgenstein’s concept of language games can be used to understand how scientific knowledge is socially constructed.
Wittgenstein: Rules and Institutions (1997): In this book, Bloor further develops his analysis of Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language. He argues that Wittgenstein’s concept of rules can be used to understand how social institutions are maintained.
The Enigma of the Aerofoil (2011): In this book, Bloor applies the strong programme to the history of aerofoil research. He argues that the development of the aerofoil was not simply a matter of scientific progress, but was also shaped by social and economic factors.
Science: The Sociology of Belief (1991): This book is a collection of Bloor’s essays on the sociology of scientific knowledge. In it, he discusses a variety of topics, including the role of language in science, the relationship between science and society, and the nature of scientific objectivity.
Knowledge and Social Imagery (1976)
Knowledge and Social Imagery is a seminal work in the sociology of knowledge by David Bloor, published in 1976. In this book, Bloor outlines the key tenets of the strong programme, a sociological perspective that challenges the traditional view of scientific knowledge as objective and value-free.
Central tenets of the strong programme:
Symmetry principle: The symmetry principle asserts that sociologists should treat all knowledge claims, including scientific knowledge, with the same level of skepticism. This means that sociologists should not assume that scientific knowledge is more objective or less socially constructed than other forms of knowledge.
Reflexivity principle: The reflexivity principle requires sociologists to be aware of their own biases and assumptions, as these can influence their research and conclusions. Sociologists should strive to make their research as objective as possible by minimizing the impact of their own biases.
Micro-macro link: The micro-macro link emphasizes the interconnectedness between individual actions and social structures. Bloor argues that the social construction of scientific knowledge is shaped by both microscopic interactions between scientists and macroscopic social and political factors.
Key arguments in Knowledge and Social Imagery:
The social construction of scientific knowledge: Bloor argues that scientific knowledge is not simply a reflection of reality but is instead a social product that is shaped by the social and historical context in which it is produced.
The role of language in the social construction of knowledge: Bloor emphasizes the importance of language in shaping how we understand the world. He argues that the concepts and categories we use to describe the world reflect our social and cultural values.
The relationship between science and society: Bloor argues that science is not a separate sphere of activity but is deeply embedded in society. He argues that social and political factors can influence the development of scientific knowledge.
Criticisms of the strong programme:
Relativism and the denial of objectivity: Critics argue that the strong programme is too relativistic and that it denies the possibility of objective knowledge. They argue that Bloor’s approach does not allow for the possibility that some knowledge claims may be more accurate than others.
Limited focus on scientific knowledge: Critics argue that the strong programme focuses too heavily on scientific knowledge and does not adequately address the social construction of other forms of knowledge, such as everyday knowledge or religious knowledge.
Enduring influence of Bloor:
Despite these criticisms, the strong programme has had a significant impact on the sociology of knowledge. Bloor’s ideas have been widely debated and discussed, and they have helped to shape the field in important ways.