criqtiques of science

Question 1

science can be a closed system

Answer 1

• POLANYI: all belief system reject fundamental challenges to their knowledge claims

Question 2

closed system: KUHN

Answer 2

• science is based on a set of shared assumptions that is called paradigm (theory)

Question 3

closed system: KUHN’s paradigm

Answer 3

• paradigm tells scientists what reality is like , what problems to study and what methods and equipment to use
• scientific education and training is a process of being socialised into accepting the truth of the paradigm

Question 4

INTERPRETIVISTS; science is socially constructed

Answer 4

• it is created by social groups and the facts are products of shared theories that tell them what they should expect to see

Question 5

Marxism and feminism

Answer 5

• scientific knowledge is far from the truth since they are serving the interests of dominant groups

Question 6

postmodernists reject science being the truth

Answer 6

• LYOTARD; science is one of a number meta-narratives that falsely claim to possess the truth
• he says science claims to offer truth about how the world works and believes science is just another way to dominate people