Misunderstanding Science?: The Public Reconstruction of Science and Technology

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511563737

Misunderstanding Science? offers a challenging new perspective on the public understanding of science. In so doing, it also challenges existing ideas of the nature of science and its relationships with society. Its analysis and case presentation are highly relevant to current concerns over the uptake, authority, and effectiveness of science as expressed, for example, in areas such as education, medical/health practice, risk and the environment, technological innovation. Based on several in-depth case-studies, and informed theoretically by the sociology of scientific knowledge, the book shows how the public understanding of science questions raises issues of the epistemic commitments and institutional structures which constitute modern science. It suggests that many of the inadequacies in the social integration and uptake of science might be overcome if modern scientific institutions were more reflexive and open about the implicit normative commitments embedded in scientific cultures.

‘The case studies in Irwin and Wynne’s volume ... contain several insights that scientists would find stimulating.’

A. J. Meadows Source: Nature

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Contents
pp v-vi
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Acknowledgements
pp vii-viii
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Introduction
pp 1-18
- By Alan Irwin, Brian Wynne
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1 - Misunderstood misunderstandings: social identities and public uptake of science
pp 19-46
- By Brian Wynne
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2 - Science and Hell's kitchen: the local understanding of hazard issues
pp 47-64
- By Alan Irwin, Alison Dale, Denis Smith
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3 - Disembodied knowledge? Making sense of medical science
pp 65-83
- By Helen Lambert, Hilary Rose
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4 - Now you see it, now you don't: mediating science and managing uncertainty in reproductive medicine
pp 84-106
- By Frances Price
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5 - Ignoring science: discourses of ignorance in the public understanding of science
pp 107-125
- By Mike Michael
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6 - Insiders and outsiders: identifying experts on home ground
pp 126-151
- By Rosemary McKechnie
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7 - Authorising science: public understanding of science in museums
pp 152-171
- By Sharon MacDonald
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8 - Nature's advocates: putting science to work in environmental organisations
pp 172-190
- By Steven Yearley
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9 - Proteins, plants, and currents: rediscovering science in Britain
pp 191-212
- By Harry Rothman, Peter Glasner, Cameron Adams
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Conclusions
pp 213-221
- By Alan Irwin, Brian Wynne
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Notes on contributors
pp 222-225
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Select bibliography
pp 226-229
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Index
pp 230-232
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Misunderstanding Science?

The Public Reconstruction of Science and Technology

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

Contents
pp v-vi

Acknowledgements
pp vii-viii

Introduction
pp 1-18

1 - Misunderstood misunderstandings: social identities and public uptake of science
pp 19-46

2 - Science and Hell's kitchen: the local understanding of hazard issues
pp 47-64

3 - Disembodied knowledge? Making sense of medical science
pp 65-83

4 - Now you see it, now you don't: mediating science and managing uncertainty in reproductive medicine
pp 84-106

5 - Ignoring science: discourses of ignorance in the public understanding of science
pp 107-125

6 - Insiders and outsiders: identifying experts on home ground
pp 126-151

7 - Authorising science: public understanding of science in museums
pp 152-171

8 - Nature's advocates: putting science to work in environmental organisations
pp 172-190

9 - Proteins, plants, and currents: rediscovering science in Britain
pp 191-212

Conclusions
pp 213-221

Notes on contributors
pp 222-225

Select bibliography
pp 226-229

Index
pp 230-232

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Misunderstanding Science?

The Public Reconstruction of Science and Technology

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