Summary
Title: Science Wars: Debating Scientific Knowledge and Technology
Author: edited by Keith Parsons
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1573929948
Pro:
• Balanced presentation, allowing defenders of each position to speak for themselves
• The variety of selections and inclusion of study questions makes this a good text for classes
Con:
• Some selections may be a bit dense for average readers, but that is probably unavoidable
• No index
Description:
• Anthology of articles critical of modern science and technology alongside rebuttals
• Provides insight into the manner in which science and its role in society is critiqued
• Includes study questions at the end of each section
Book Review
The reason for the existence of debates over the nature and value of science may at first appear elusive. After all, the advancements in scientific knowledge and technological power have increased astronomically over the past couple of centuries. Humans today know and can do much, much more than people in the 18th century could even have dreamed of. So what is there to complain about?
The unfortunate fact of the matter is, science and technology also create new problems even as they solve others. Pollution scars the planet, time saving devices haven't increased our leisure time, new diseases seem to kill nearly as many as those in the past, and so on. Perhaps there isn't anything to rave about after all?
Neither perspective is entirely accurate - science isn't the salvation of humanity, but neither is it the source of our damnation. We do, however, need to have a better understanding of the nature, structure, and uses of both science and technology in order to help them find their proper role in our society. We do not want to unnecessarily exalt or exile them out of misunderstanding and prejudice.
This in turn requires a better understanding of the arguments offered by the critics of science, not to mention the responses offered by scientists themselves. For a broad overview, an excellent source is the recently published "Science Wars: Debating Scientific Knowledge and Technology," edited by Keith Parsons. An assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Houston, Parsons has drawn together a number of key primary texts from important critics of science along with responses written by important defenders.
Parsons makes no attempt to hide the fact that he finds that some of the criticisms simply do not amount to much; despite that, he strives to be fair to all viewpoints, and in this he is successful. This is because he recognizes just how serious this issue is; indeed, understanding what we should do about our sciences may be one of the most important issues facing us today.
