The Role of Social Factors in Scientific Knowledge

Section: Research Paper
Published
Apr 1, 2009
Pages
343-388

Abstract

The studies that emphasize on the impact of society on the specific types of knowledge go back to Auguste Comte (1798-1857) who connected certain social formations to precise kinds of knowledge: religious, philosophical, and scientific positivism. What can be understood from this law is that (Comte) believes that the thought (knowledge) is the engine and creator of society. He called for getting rid from all religious and metaphysical kinds of thought and recourse to methodology of natural sciences to reach to results that are similar to the results of natural sciences. He intended to discover the laws which regulate the life of individuals and societies. This approach takes us to the positive situation of science.The contemporary studies do not intend to prove the idea that the content of scientific knowledge (scientific or experimental sciences) is empty from human and social elements. Subsequently, (decisive experiment) is no longer a crucial concept of science. There were many theories and ideas occurred and accepted without scientific reasons. These theories did not submit to decisive experiment. The knowledge with its different forms, whether they are humanities or natural, is affected by society's form and social status.From this perspective, the study adopts the idea that asserts that theories and contemporary scientific discoveries submit to the influence of social factors in the content of knowledge. Thus, the science is affected by human impact which includes the societys form, political interests, economic interests, social interests, ethical principles, and economic conflicts.The study also examines the critiques proposed about the role of social factors in the content of scientific knowledge. It discusses these issues in order to insist on the role of social elements and conditions in the content of scientific knowledge. The study consists of the below topics:1. The relationship between science and knowledge.2. Sociology of knowledge3. Sociology of science4. The social knowledge and imitation to science5. The situation of social knowledge in post positive-logical tendencies6. Opponent tendencies for positivism in social thought.7. The science is a relative social knowledge

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How to Cite

Zebari, T. (2009). The Role of Social Factors in Scientific Knowledge. Adab Al-Rafidayn, 39(53), 343–388. https://doi.org/10.33899/radab.2009.31952