Ivory Bridges - Connecting Science & Society

Erscheinungsjahr 2002
ISBN: 978-0-262-19471-6
Verlag: MIT Press

Buch, Englisch, 239 Seiten, Format (B × H): 158 mm x 239 mm, Gewicht: 458 g

A study of two bridges between science and society: governmental science policy and scientists' voluntary public-interest associations.

According to a widespread stereotype, scientists occupy an ivory tower, isolated from other parts of society. To some extent this is true, and the resulting freedom to pursue curiosity-driven research has made possible extraordinary scientific advances. The spinoffs of "pure" science, however, have also had powerful impacts on society, and the potential for future impacts is even greater. The public and many policymakers, as well as many researchers, have paid insufficient attention to the mechanisms for interchange between science and society that have developed since World War II. Ivory Bridges examines two such mechanisms: governmental science policy (often involving the participation of "scientist administrators") and scientists' voluntary public-interest associations. The examination of science policy is guided by the notion of "Jeffersonian science" -- -defined as basic research on topics identified as being in the national interest. The book illustrates the concept with a historical case study of the Press-Carter Initiative of the late 1970s and proposes that a Jeffersonian approach would make a valuable addition to future science policy. The book also looks at the activities of citizen-scientists who have organized themselves to promote the welfare of society. It shows that their numerous and diverse organizations have made major contributions to the commonweal and that they have helped to prevent science from becoming either too subservient to government or too autonomous. An extensive appendix profiles a wide variety of these organizations.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Sonnert, Gerhard

Weitere Mitwirkende

Holton, Gerald

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Menschenrechte, Bürgerrechte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik Umwelt- und Gesundheitspolitik
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltpolitik, Umweltprotokoll
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Moderne Philosophische Disziplinen Philosophische Anthropologie

Über Autor(innen)

Sonnert, Gerhard
Gerhard Sonnert is a sociologist of science in the Department of Physics at
Harvard University.

Holton, Gerald
Gerald Holton is Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Professor of the History of
Science, Emeritus, at Harvard University.

Gerhard Sonnert is a sociologist of science in the Department of Physics at Harvard University.