Sciences from Below

Book Details:

• Author: Sandra Harding

• Brand: Duke University Press

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 283

• Release Date: 30-06-2008

• EAN: 9780822342823

• Package Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches

• Languages: English

About the Book:

Sciences from Below by Sandra Harding explores the intersection of science, technology, and social justice through the lens of feminist and postcolonial science studies. In this groundbreaking work, Harding synthesizes modernity studies with progressive science and technology studies to suggest how scientific and technological advancements can better serve social justice projects globally.

Key Themes:

1. Multiple Modernities: Harding introduces the concept of multiple modernities, proposing that modernity is not a monolithic, singular concept but a framework shaped by diverse, historical, and cultural contexts. She challenges the conventional view of modernity and its binary opposition to tradition, advocating for a more inclusive, pluralistic understanding of modern progress.

2. Progressive Science and Technology: Harding argues that science and technology should be linked to social justice projects. She explores how post-Kuhnian science studies and feminist and postcolonial critiques of science can reshape our understanding of scientific knowledge. Harding emphasizes that these critiques help to dismantle the traditional view of objectivity in science, while also critiquing Eurocentric and patriarchal elements within the scientific framework.

3. Contributions of Key Scholars: Harding delves into the work of key figures in post-Kuhnian science studies, including Bruno Latour, Ulrich Beck, and Michael Gibbons, highlighting their contributions to the field. She also critiques their lack of engagement with feminist and postcolonial perspectives, asserting that these views are essential to forming a more equitable and inclusive understanding of science.

4. Gender and Colonialism: Central to the book is Harding’s analysis of how gender and colonialism shape the Western conception of modernity. By focusing on the male supremacist biases in scientific discourse and the exclusion of global South knowledge systems, Harding reveals the ways in which the scientific establishment has historically marginalized alternative knowledge traditions.

5. Feminist and Postcolonial Science Studies: Harding stresses that feminist and postcolonial science studies have crucial roles in rethinking how we produce knowledge. These perspectives highlight the empirical knowledge of marginalized communities and offer critical insights into overcoming the limitations of Western science, especially in addressing issues of social justice and equality.

Conclusion:

Sciences from Below presents a compelling argument for how science, when informed by feminist and postcolonial critiques, can be harnessed for progressive change. Harding proposes that modernity studies and science studies should incorporate more inclusive, diverse, and socially responsible approaches to research and policy-making.

This book is essential for those interested in socially progressive scientific research, policy, and those seeking to rethink the role of science in shaping a more equitable society.