What is science? Methodological pitfalls underlying the empirical exploration of scientific knowledge

Yaneva, Dominika (2005) What is science? Methodological pitfalls underlying the empirical exploration of scientific knowledge.

Abstract

The validity of 3 premises, set as foundational pillars of modern sociological approach to science, is contested, namely: i/ the postulate, stating that science is devoid of whatever generis specifica ii/ it is liable to the usual empirical study iii/the practicing scientist’s self-reflexive judgements must be disbelieved and rejected. Contrariwise, the ignored so far quaint nature of knowledge, escaping even from the elementary empirical treating – discernment & observation – is revealed and demonstrated. This peculiar nature requires, accordingly, a specific meta-cognitive dealing for positing it as ‘empirical object’, unfortunately missed by the Strong Programme. The inadequate approach adopted led to a substitution of ‘scientific’ for common knowledge. The tacit thus far alternative methodology, setting the foundations of meta-science, is outlined.