In searching for science understanding. Applying the sociology of a science based approach

Abstract

The paper discusses the chosen ongoing perspectives related to science understanding based problems. Science is viewed, following Robert Merton, as a functioning institution. Social context plays a significant role in defining the possibilities of developing science. The question arises how a functioning institution can be effectively analyzed and which perspectives can be implemented. Hence this paper’s goal is to reveal some ways of exploring science understanding. Consequently the paper touches the scientific discourses upon science discussing its academic functional ethos and on the other hand tension between bureaucratization and openness in science. More broadly how far science is democratized in an academic interaction.
 The proposition of examining the problem of the quality of science as an institution is to grasp two perspectives: first, the formal perspective, related to the legal field and its rationality and second, followed by Adele Clarke known as “situatedness”. The idea of joining formalization with situatedness can be regarded as an embodiment within John Meyer and Brian Rowan’s concept of an institutionalized organization. Hence science understanding is defined as a complex functioning institution escaping from a modern version of science into many postmodern ad-hoc made sciences.
 The paper’s intention is to provide problems and proposition of solving them through applying an integrating perspective

Levels of incompetence. On the place of rationality in an irrational world

“…Rationality may be our only weapon, but rationality loses out to the emotions and feelings that appeal to a sense of injustice. Emotions and feelings put more pressure on our behaviour than rationality does, especially if tempers are fomented by politicians appealing to social discontent in an attempt to build support for certain social groups based on negative emotions (Jedlikowska, 2016). The post-scientific society could be a serious challenge of our times.…”

Science in retrotopia

“…The average person can easily get lost in this deluge of information which is organized into knowledge. Our world has also become complicated due to the confusion between symbolic orderliness, cognitive perspectives and statuses (Jedlikowska, 2016). The proto-knowledge of the average person is largely built on social interactions, and these interactions are becoming more and more mediated in our modern civilization (Such -Szczesniak, 2006).…”

Sociology as Scientific Knowledge

“…Thus, science, and, hence, also Sociology, are influenced by internal and external factors (Almeida, 1994;Bartolucci, 2017;Machado Júnior, Souza, Parisotto, & Palmisano, 2016;Hamati-Ataya, 2018;Au, 2018;Zuckerman, 2018;Tang, 2017;Jedlikowska, 2016;Christoffersen et al, 2009;Tanguy, 2012), requiring a "constant socio-epistemological vigilance" (Hamati-Ataya, 2018, p. 15).…”