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book: Making Natural Knowledge
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Making Natural Knowledge

Constructivism and the History of Science, with a new Preface
Language: English
Published/Copyright: 2005

About this book

Arguably the best available introduction to constructivism, a research paradigm that has dominated the history of science for the past forty years, Making Natural Knowledge reflects on the importance of this theory, tells the history of its rise to prominence, and traces its most important tensions.

Viewing scientific knowledge as a product of human culture, Jan Golinski challenges the traditional trajectory of the history of science as steady and autonomous progress. In exploring topics such as the social identity of the scientist, the significance of places where science is practiced, and the roles played by language, instruments, and images, Making Natural Knowledge sheds new light on the relations between science and other cultural domains.

"A standard introduction to historically minded scholars interested in the constructivist programme. In fact, it has been called the 'constructivist's bible' in many a conference corridor."—Matthew Eddy, British Journal for the History of Science

Reviews

“[In the] years since its first edition was published, [Making Natural Knowledge] has become a standard introduction to historically minded scholars interested in the constructivist programme. In fact, it has been called the ‘constructivist's bible’ in many a conference corridor.”

— Matthew Eddy, British Journal of the History of Science

“Golinski puts on display the multifaceted scholarship that has comprised science studies over the past three decades. Unlike some of the scholarship in this area that is laden with unnecessary jargon . . . Golinski employs straightforward, readable prose appropriate to his intended audiences of advanced undergraduates and graduate students (I have recommended it to several).”
— Londa Schiebinger, American Historical Review

“Golinski has provided an important map of the different historigraphical perspectives adopted by historians of science in recent years.”
— Iwan Rhys Morus, Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

“Golinski writes for an audience of graduate students and senior undergraduates. . . . On the whole, [he] succeeds admirably. His book is well organized and fluently written. Basic ideas are clearly explained, and his style is blessedly free of the jargon and posturing that makes a great deal of science studies literature a penance to read. . . . ‘Constructivism’ for Golinski is not a set of formal principles but an approach or point of view, one that sees science as a form of cultural practice constructed in particular local contexts out of available cultural and material resources. . . . Historians who only want to use the constructivists’ tool kit will appreciate his eclecticism. I arrange my undergraduate courses in sciences studies in much the same way. . . . I will use this book as a text the next time around.”

— Robert E. Kohler, Isis

Topics

  • Publicly Available

    Frontmatter

    i
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    Contents

    v
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    List of Illustrations

    vi
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    New Preface (2005)

    vii
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  • Publicly Available

    Preface

    xvii
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    Introduction: Challenges to the Classical View of Science

    1
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    1. An Outline of Constructivism

    13
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    2. Identity and Discipline

    47
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    3. The Place of Production

    79
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    4. Speaking for Nature

    103
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    5. Interventions and Representations

    133
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    6. Culture and Construction

    162
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    Coda: The Obligations of Narrative

    186
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    Bibliography

    207
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    Index

    229
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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
July 22, 2008
eBook ISBN:
9780226302324
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
View content
https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226302324
eBook ISBN: 9780226302324
Keywords for this book
constructivism; science; scientific knowledge; progress; identity; scientist; place; language; history; historiography; kuhn; innovation; culture; representation; objects; nature; laboratory; discipline; production; research; nonfiction; instruments; autonomy; inspiration; genius; images; reproduction; illustrations; space; philosophy
Audience(s) for this book
For an expert adult audience, including professional development and academic research
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