Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 853-870 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Axiomathes |
| Volume | 32 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
There are many ways in which biases can enter processes of scientific reasoning. One of these is what Ludwik Fleck has called a “harmony of illusions”. In this paper, Fleck’s ideas on the relevance of social mechanisms in epistemic processes and his detailed description of publication processes in science will be used as a starting point to investigate the connection between cognitive processes, social dynamics, and biases in this context. Despite its usefulness as a first step towards a more detailed analysis, Fleck’s account needs to be updated in order to take the developments of digital communication technologies of the 21st century into account. Taking a closer look at today’s practices of science communication shows that information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a major role here. By presenting a detailed case study concerning the database SCOPUS, the question will be investigated how such ICTs can influence the division of epistemic labour. The result will be that they potentially undermine the epistemic benefits of social dynamics in science communication due to their inherent tendency to reduce the diversity of scientific hypotheses and ideas.
Keywords
- database, division of epistemic labour, information and communication technology (ICT), Ludwik Fleck, pluralism, science communication, Scopus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Mathematics(all)
- Mathematics (miscellaneous)
- Arts and Humanities(all)
- Philosophy
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In: Axiomathes, Vol. 32, 12.2022, p. 853-870.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Databases, Science Communication, and the Division of Epistemic Labour
AU - Mößner, Nicola
N1 - Funding Information: No funds, grants, or other support was received. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - There are many ways in which biases can enter processes of scientific reasoning. One of these is what Ludwik Fleck has called a “harmony of illusions”. In this paper, Fleck’s ideas on the relevance of social mechanisms in epistemic processes and his detailed description of publication processes in science will be used as a starting point to investigate the connection between cognitive processes, social dynamics, and biases in this context. Despite its usefulness as a first step towards a more detailed analysis, Fleck’s account needs to be updated in order to take the developments of digital communication technologies of the 21st century into account. Taking a closer look at today’s practices of science communication shows that information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a major role here. By presenting a detailed case study concerning the database SCOPUS, the question will be investigated how such ICTs can influence the division of epistemic labour. The result will be that they potentially undermine the epistemic benefits of social dynamics in science communication due to their inherent tendency to reduce the diversity of scientific hypotheses and ideas.
AB - There are many ways in which biases can enter processes of scientific reasoning. One of these is what Ludwik Fleck has called a “harmony of illusions”. In this paper, Fleck’s ideas on the relevance of social mechanisms in epistemic processes and his detailed description of publication processes in science will be used as a starting point to investigate the connection between cognitive processes, social dynamics, and biases in this context. Despite its usefulness as a first step towards a more detailed analysis, Fleck’s account needs to be updated in order to take the developments of digital communication technologies of the 21st century into account. Taking a closer look at today’s practices of science communication shows that information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a major role here. By presenting a detailed case study concerning the database SCOPUS, the question will be investigated how such ICTs can influence the division of epistemic labour. The result will be that they potentially undermine the epistemic benefits of social dynamics in science communication due to their inherent tendency to reduce the diversity of scientific hypotheses and ideas.
KW - database
KW - division of epistemic labour
KW - information and communication technology (ICT)
KW - Ludwik Fleck
KW - pluralism
KW - science communication
KW - Scopus
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85141486966&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10516-022-09638-y
DO - 10.1007/s10516-022-09638-y
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85141486966
VL - 32
SP - 853
EP - 870
JO - Axiomathes
JF - Axiomathes
SN - 1122-1151
ER -