The "Racial" Economy of Science: Toward a Democratic Future (Race, Gender, and Science) (Paperback)

by Sandra Harding (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Have Western sciences been entirely progressive, particularly in regards to "race?" Or is their inherent Eurocentrism responsible for perpetuating a "racial economy"--that is, for parceling out along racial lines the benefits of these sciences to the West and the drawbacks to the Third World? By addressing these questions, this book should move the social studies of science into a dimension that editor Harding admits has been largely absent in Western critiques of science, even the feminist critiques for which Harding is noted. In fact, the classic and recent essays gathered here will challenge scholars in the natural sciences, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and women's studies to examine the role of racism in the construction and application of the sciences. Harding ( Whose Science? Whose Knowledge? Thinking from Women's Lives , Cornell Univ. Pr., 1991) has also created a useful text for diverse classroom settings. Recommended for academic libraries.
- Faye A. Chadwell, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

By racial economy Harding means those institutions, assumptions, and practices that are responsible for disproportionately distributing along 'racial' lines the benefits of Western science to the haves and the bad consequences to the have -- nots, thereby enlarging the gap between them. Challenging traditional views of Western science as a progressive force and pure intellectual endeavor, she instead locates it as a Eurocentric institution shaped by the racist, sexist, and imperialist character of the dominant social order (from which ranks its practitioners are still largely drawn), and disserving the needs and interests of the peoples of the Third World and minorities in Western society. She further suggests that science itself has suffered as a creative force by neglecting the potential of non -- Western contributions. An impressively broad array of scholarship has been assembled to explore these issues, drawn from scientists and historians of science, activists, and public policy analysts. The essays address themes of non -- Western scientific traditions, scientific views of race, who gets to do science, regressive effects of technology on peoples of non -- European origin, the supposed value neutrality of science, and the possibilities for a different relationship between science and society. A rich lode of readily accessible thought on the nature and practice of science in society. Highly recommended. General; undergraduate; graduate.L. W. Moore, formerly, University of Kentucky, Choice, May 1994

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253208106
• ISBN-13: 978-0253208101
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,199 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!!, June 6, 1998

By A Customer

This excellent book will uncover for you the dangers inhent with the modern paradigm of science. The "S knows that P" model, and the atrocities that it can alow will become evident after reading just a few essays in the Racial Economy of Science. Chanllenge yourself to face the problems that feminism presents.