The sociology of science: Theoretical and empirical investigations

by Robert K. Merton

"The exploration of the social conditions that facilitate or retard the search for scientific knowledge has been the major theme of Robert K. Merton's work for forty years. This collection of papers [is] a fascinating overview of this sustained inquiry. . . . There are very few other books in sociology . . . with such meticulous scholarship, or so elegant a style. This collection of papers is, and is likely to remain for a long time, one of the most important books in sociology."â Joseph Ben-David, New York Times Book Review

"The novelty of the approach, the erudition and elegance, and the unusual breadth of vision make this volume one of the most important contributions to sociology in general and to the sociology of science in particular. . . . Merton's Sociology of Science is a magisterial summary of the field."â Yehuda Elkana, American Journal of Sociology

"Merton's work provides a rich feast for any scientist concerned for a genuine understanding of his own professional self. And Merton's industry, integrity, and humility are permanent witnesses to that ethos which he has done so much to define and support."â J. R. Ravetz, American Scientist

"The essays not only exhibit a diverse and penetrating analysis and a deal of historical and contemporary examples, with concrete numerical data, but also make genuinely good reading because of the wit, the liveliness and the rich learning with which Merton writes."â Philip Morrison, Scientific American

"Merton's impact on sociology as a whole has been large, and his impact on the sociology of science has been so momentous that the title of the book is apt, because Merton's writings represent modern sociology of science more than any other single writer."â Richard McClintock, Contemporary Sociology

Genres: Sociology, Science, Nonfiction, Philosophy, History, Theory

638 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Alvaro de Menard · Rating 1 out of 5]

In 1945 Merton writes:

There is only this to be said: the sociology of knowledge is fast outgrowing a prior tendency to confuse provisional hypothesis with unimpeachable dogma; the plenitude of speculative insights which marked its early stages are now being subjected to increasingly rigorous test.

Then, 16 years later:

After enjoying more than two generations of scholarly interest, the sociology of knowledge remains largely a subject for meditation rather than a field of sustained and methodical investigation. This has resulted in the curious condition that more monographs and papers are devoted to discussions of what the sociology of knowledge is and what it ought to be than to detailed inquiries into specific problems. [...] In effect, these authors tell us that they have been forced to resort to loose generalities rather than being in a position to report firmly grounded generalizations.

...which happens to be an excellent description of this very book!

The epistemic standards on display in this volume are sad and embarrassing.

The few interesting parts mostly involve collections of historical anecdotes rather than any sociological analysis. The only chapter I could recommend is _Singletons and Multiples in Science_, which concerns the issue of multiple discovery.

[Robert Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A masterful collection of essays on the social aspects of the scientific enterprise, providing insight into meritocracy, the establishment of normative structures and the Matthew Effect (the notion that those with much get more and those with little end up with even less).

[Brent Ranalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of these essays are foundational, essential in science studies.

[Paul Gosselin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Involves a discussion of the relationship between Puritan Christians and the birth of science.