Science, Technology and Society

Bol Partner

This text covers science and technology from a sociological and philosophical perspective and provides an analysis of the profound and reciprocal influence that science, technology and society have on each other. The author offers theoretical, historical and contemporary perspectives on the nature of science and technology and their role in shaping modern society, drawing upon a broad socio-cultural-environmental basis for determining the causes and consequences of scientific and technological developments. The book also explores science and technology's influence on certain aspects of modern society including institutions, social groups, ethics, the fine arts and international relations. At the same time, the book shows how science and technology are influenced by their social and cultural contexts and discusses political mechanisms for their social control, concluding with an analysis of the kinds of cultural obstacles that work against any such improved social management.

Bol

How can the sociology of science relate to issues of science policy? And how can both attend to new institutional and cultural shifts in the character of science itself? These two questions lie at the heart of this new introduction to the sociology of science and technology. Balancing an analysis of contemporary debates in the field with an exploration of science policy questions the book provides a fresh approach to today's key issues.