Knowledge and Social Imagery

“Knowledge and Social Imagery” by David Bloor, published by University of Chicago Press on September 24, 1991, is a thought-provoking exploration of the interplay between social factors and scientific disciplines. This edition, consisting of 203 pages, delves into Bloor’s assertion that even the most rigorous sciences, such as physics and mathematics, are influenced by social conventions, interests, and traditions, alongside observable phenomena and logical reasoning.
In this book, readers will encounter Bloor’s radical perspective that challenges conventional views in philosophy, sociology, and the history of science. The second edition includes a substantial Afterword where Bloor addresses the debates sparked by his original claims. Topics such as the philosophy and social aspects of science, as well as the relationship between art and popular culture, are examined, providing a comprehensive understanding of how social imagery shapes scientific knowledge.
Official synopsis Publisher
The first edition of this book profoundly challenged and divided students of philosophy, sociology, and the history of science when it was published in 1976. David Bloor’s radical claim was that the sciences, even “hard sciences” such as physics and mathematics, are dependent on social factors such as conventions, interests, traditions, and prestige as they are on observable physical phenomena or abstract logical necessity. In this second edition, Bloor responds in a substantial new Afterword to the heated debates engendered by his book.
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