Ideology + Science

Question 1

Closed belief systems

Answer 1

Horton - distinguishes between open/closed systems religion is closed as makes knowledge claims that cannot be overturned. A closed belief system has ‘get-of clauses’ that prevent it for, being disproved in the eyes of its believers.

Question 2

Science as a closed belief system

Answer 2

Scientific paradigms - argues science such as physics based in a paradigm (set of shared assumptions). Scientists who challenge the paradigm are likely to be ridiculed - except during periods of scientific revolution, when accumulated evidence undermines it

Question 3

The sociology of scientific knowledge

Answer 3

Interprevitists argue that scientific knowledge is socially constructed. Wooglar- argues that scientists have to persuade the scientific community to accept their interpretations of the world, a scientific fact is simply shared

Question 4

Marxism, feminism + postmodernism

Answer 4

Marxism + feminists see science as serving the interests of dominant groups, the R-C or men. Many scientific developments are driven by capitalism’s need for knowledge to make profit.
Post modernists also reject sciences claims to have ‘the truth’ some argue that science has become techno science serving capitalist interests by producing commodities for profit

Question 5

Ideology

Answer 5

Refers to belief system, worldwide or set of ideas
Marxism - sees society as divided into 2 opposed classes
Feminism - see gender inequality as legitimated by patriarchal - religious beliefs + practices often define women as inferior e.g. Menstruating women regarded as unclean + excluded from rituals

Question 6

Science as open belief system

Answer 6

Popper claims science is open belief system open to criticism + testing. Science based on principles of falsification - scientists try to falsify existing theories by seeking evidence to disprove them, if evidence contradicts a theory the theory is discarded + a better one sought