Customer Reviews

Sociology of Science: Theoretical and Empirical Investigations

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Although I do share some of the other reviewers' concerns, I must add that the bulk of Merton's thought came into existence about 60 years ago. Needless to say, the world has changed considerably since then, which undoubtedly has had its ramifications for contemporary theorists writing about science.

I hasten to add that more critical readers should view Merton's work from a historical perspective - an exercise that in itself is well worth the time spent reading this book, and which also underlines the relevance of attempts from the social sciences to understand 'the scientific enterprise of man'.

Merton is simply indispensable for sociologists, historians of science, and science and technology studies scholars, if only simply for the inevitability of encountering the work of Merton at some point: a lot of people have commented on Merton, and continue to do so. In other words, it's a classic that can hardly be avoided.

In addition, Merton does put forward a number of views that are still accepted uncritically by a lot of scientists. Truly understanding the sciences also involves a considerable amount of counter intelligence.

i liked the ideas presented in the book very much, rather than the actual reading of it. Frankly, it was like reading a school textbook of sorts, but the information is one of my personal interests. I came across Merton's ideas in my sociology, and criminology classes, and had to read it myself, rather than getting the watered down version my textbooks were giving me.

As a PhD student studying the sociology of science I found Merton's work to be awful. He takes for granted the stated the ideology of science without delving into how actual practice differs from that ideology. He leaves scientific knowledge outside the realm of sociological understanding and treats those who approach science with a critical eye as anti-intellectual. For those interested in the historical development of the sociology of science, probably a must read. For those who actually want to investigate that field, a book to avoid.

Merton's work has shaped much of twentieth century American sociology. His work in the areas of anomie and deviance are especially useful. His work on the sociology of science is not. In taking a purely institutional approach, he misses much of what occurs in the actual practice of science. He wholesale buys the ideology of science. In doing so, he ignores practices and universalizes the contemporary understanding of what science "is" across space and time. More than that, however, he treats the content of scientific knoweldge as though it is beyond sociological understanding. For those interested in the historical development of the sociology of science, this is probably a necessary read. For others with an interest in the topic, it is probably best overlooked.

I want to see the cover of the book, its content and to read some comments about it and about the subject