Theories of Science and Ideology Flashcards
How was science and religion viewed in the past compared to now
Science has in the past been associated with religious belief, superstition and magic. It is now seen as research, experimentation and rational arguments. Science is seen as an explanation of the world that opposes religion
What is scientism
Individuals who directly oppose and dismiss religious beliefs and believe the only way to gain true knowledge is through the scientific method
The Traditional View of Science (science is different from other belief systems)
Popper would suggest there is evidence that science is different to other belief systems
1 - it is an open belief system and can therefore be falsified
2 - it is based upon fact rather than faith
3 - scientists must ignore personal feelings and act objective at all times
Evidence that science is similar to other belief systems and is socially constructed - Interpretivism/social action theory
Berger and Luckmann Universes of Meaning
According to Berger there is little difference between religion, ideology and science. That is because they are all socially constructed universes of meaning (all humans have to construct their understanding of the soical world by creating universes of meaning to help them make sense)
When people stop believing in them the universe of meaning collapses - eg religion no longer providing sacred canopy
Evidence that science is similar to other belief systems and is socially constructed- Alternative interpretation of Popper
Popper is suggesting that it is only possible to disprove a theory. In reality it is never possible to prove anything to be true and scientific theories are often overturned or disproved. So science would require some form of faith as nothing is ever 100% fact so in some ways it is similar to religion
Evidence that science is similar to other belief systems and is socially constructed - Kuhns Paradigms
He suggested that science is not objective or rational but is socially constructed and based on personal biases
Eventually a particular theory is accepted and a paradigm is created. From this a period of normal science operates. The work that scientists do is influenced by the paradigm and they operate within it rather than challenging it
Evidence that science is similar to other belief systems and is socially constructed - Giddens, Beck and Lyotard modernity
Giddens - suggests in the past people thought science would provide certain answers and was positive but as theories are overturned it has negative impacts
Beck - agrees with Giddens and says risk has been brought about by science through post modernity
Lyotard - also agrees with some aspects of this and says postmodern society is characterised by collapse of meta-narratives so there are no absolute truths so just another competing belief system
What is ideology and what does it provide us with
Ideology is a set of ideas and values shared by a social group.
Provides us with a particular way of viewing the world - often a biased or false view of what is going on in society
Traditional Marxism
Capitalist Ideology justifies and reinforces capitalist system
Religion is example and creates false class consciousness
Neo Marxism
Gramsci calls the power of the ruling classes cultural hegemony - dominance of one set of ideas over others
Feminism
Patriarchal ideology - set of beliefs which distorts reality and supports male dominance eg transmitted in religion
Pluralists
Suggest that a dominant ideology does not exist in western societies - everyone free to express their opinion
