Internalism of Rational Methodologies and the Socioexternal History of Science: Arguments for the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge

Examines the legitimacy & scope of the sociological explanation for the cognitive content of science. Rationalist tradition promotes an explanatory division of labor between philosophy & sociology according to which the internal, cognitive side of science belongs exclusively to the area of philosophical investigation, while sociology deals only with the external, social component. This artificial separation of external & internal components of science is challenged, arguing that these two sides are interconnected & mutually supportive in a way that makes any attempt at a purely rational, internalist explanation of scientific development deeply flawed. Historiographical & sociological investigations of episodes from the history of science clearly demonstrate the inadequacy of the internalist approach & support the need for & legitimacy of a sociological explanation. Instead of idealized & stereotyped versions of science as straightforward & true knowledge, this explanation offers a picture of science as a collective intellectual enterprise in which social actors, on the basis of their preoccupations, goals, interests, & cultural values, determine what is true knowledge & the proper method for reaching the "truth.". 34 References. Adapted from the source document.