E-Book Overview
Re-crafting Rationalization contributes to debates relating to the public understanding of science, regarding the conceptualization of the relationship between 'science' and 'the public'. It challenges the prevailing science-centred or 'top-down' framework that currently informs notions of 'public engagement' and 'knowledge-transfer', offering an alternative that remains firmly grounded in the discourse of classical social theory. By proposing an alternative version of rationalization to the standard interpretation of Weber's disenchantment thesis, this book establishes the public understanding of science as a matter of fundamental sociological concern. As such, it redefines this field to emphasize public meanings of science, engaging with a range of topics of major interest to the public and popular meaning of science, including science and religion, science fiction and fantasy, 'fringe' science and media representations of science. Combining rhetorical analysis with ethnomethodology and membership categorization analysis, the book outlines the basis of a new approach to the sociology of knowledge, in the light of which Weber's rationalization thesis is radically re-crafted in relation to studies of scientists' discourse, the rhetoric of science popularization and public usages of science. This re-crafted rationalization is applied in a series of detailed empirical studies of enchanted science (creationism and intelligent design, Scientology and reflexive spirituality, superhero comics) and mundane mysteries (Fortean discourse, conspiracy theory and media representations of 'the scientist' in the case of Jack the Ripper). Re-crafting Rationalization therefore redresses a significant shortcoming in contemporary social theory, which currently overlooks or misrepresents important public meanings of science, whilst excluding popular culture from attention. With profound implications for the ways in which we make sense of developments involving science, this book will be of interest not only to sociologists and social theorists, but also to those interested in popular culture and subcultures and the history, philosophy and sociology of science.
E-Book Content
Re-crafting Rationalization
To Keith Weightman, teacher and friend, stopping off at the final clubhouse.
Re-crafting Rationalization Enchanted Science and Mundane Mysteries
Simon Locke Kingston University, UK
© Simon Locke 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Simon Locke has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work. Published by Ashgate Publishing Limited Ashgate Publishing Company Wey Court East Suite 420 Union Road 101 Cherry Street Farnham Burlington Surrey, GU9 7PT VT 05401-4405 England USA www.ashgate.com British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Locke, Simon. Re-crafting rationalization : enchanted science and mundane mysteries. 1. Science--Social aspects. 2. Science--Public opinion. 3. Communication in science. I. Title 306.4'5-dc22 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Locke, Simon. Re-crafting rationalization : enchanted science and mundane mysteries / by Simon Locke. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7546-7830-4 (hardback) -- ISBN 978-0-7546-9639-1 (ebook) 1. Science--Social aspects. I. Title. Q175.5.L63 2010 306.4'5--dc22 2010035186 ISBN 9780754678304 (hbk) ISBN 9780754696391 (ebk) V
Contents Acknowledgements Introduction
vii 1
Part I: Re-crafting Rationalization 1 From PUS to PMS: Adventures of an Unhappy Acronym 2 Intellectualist Rationalization, or What Does