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Navigating the Science Wars: Balancing Social Constructs and Realities in Research

Sharon Begley delves into the debate between social constructionists and realists in the scientific community. While some argue for Absolute Relativism or Absolute Truth, a middle ground of "constructionist materialism" is proposed. Standpoint theory, strong objectivity, situated knowledges, and material feminisms offer unique perspectives. Sandra Harding advocates for a socially relevant philosophy of science rooted in Standpoint theory. Embracing intersectionality and transparency can enhance objectivity and inclusivity in scientific studies. The importance of acknowledging biases and the need for accountability in claims are emphasized. The goal is to strive for more accurate theories and comprehensive research by recognizing diverse experiences and identities.

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Navigating the Science Wars: Balancing Social Constructs and Realities in Research

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  1. Sharon Begley on “the science wars” • The social constructionists: “It is not that evil scientists intentionally set out to enshrine the prejudices of the day in their research conclusions. But as mere mortals, they cannot escape their influences. Science…is therefore, a ‘social construct’” (115). • The extreme: Absolute Relativism • Vs. • The realists: “we are…measuring something real, something that is not a social construct…. ‘[T]he constraints of the data are what make the difference between writing a novel about the past and doing [insert any kind of science here]’” (118) • The extreme: Absolute Truth

  2. The middle ground: “a constructionist materialism” (Harding, 38) Standpoint theory Strong objectivity Situated knowledges Material feminisms

  3. Your classmate on objectivity: • “I think that [appreciating the intersectionality of every identity] could make science stronger, even by its own criteria (objectivity, generalizability). Being allowed to ignore vast swaths of experience, data, and identities doesn’t improve knowledge; it’s producing big blind spots, real weaknesses. I definitely don’t think it would hurt anything, but maybe it would produce more accurate theories and better, more inclusive studies.”

  4. Sandra Harding: “A Socially Relevant Philosophy of Science?Resources from Standpoint Theory’s Controversiality”

  5. the scientific method

  6. Standpoint theory & science:we know not in spite of, but because of, social location • Begin from experiences of marginalization • “Study-Up” …or… view from “below” • Transparency regarding certain, inherent biases • Claims are made to be locatable; accountable\ • Still partial

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