A Reflexive Calling

E-ISSN： 2327-2554|10|3|13-25

ISSN： 2327-008x

Source： The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies, Vol.10, Iss.3, 2015-01, pp. : 13-25

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Abstract

As a result of the classical sociological analysis of the scientific method as a way of consolidating the epistemic roots of social sciences reasoning, sociology has created a unique capacity of comprehending science through the scientific method. In this paper, we discuss the rise of a reflexive “vocation” of sociology, i.e., a special epistemic condition towards the understanding of contemporary science held by sociologists. Sociology has initially pointed out the knowledge problem as an internal issue, a challenge regarding the development of a scientific way of thinking about society. Contemporary sociology has pointed out the knowledge problem as a general challenge for science as a whole, replacing the logical demarcation by a new one based on social demarcation of knowledge. Social Studies of Science and Edinburgh’s Strong Programme have finally created a symmetrical sociology of the scientific knowledge, activating the classical reflexive condition of sociology towards scientific knowledge.