Laboratory Life: The Construction of Scientific FactsThis highly original work presents laboratory science in a deliberately skeptical way: as an anthropological approach to the culture of the scientist. Drawing on recent work in literary criticism, the authors study how the social world of the laboratory produces papers and other "texts,"' and how the scientific vision of reality becomes that set of statements considered, for the time being, too expensive to change. The book is based on field work done by Bruno Latour in Roger Guillemin's laboratory at the Salk Institute and provides an important link between the sociology of modern sciences and laboratory studies in the history of science. |
Contents
Preface to Second Edition | 9 |
FROM ORDER TO DISORDER | 15 |
Statement Types | 69 |
The Transformation of Statement Types | 81 |
Notes | 88 |
THE CASE OF TRFH | 105 |
THE MICROPROCESSING OF FACTS | 151 |
CYCLES OF CREDIT | 187 |
THE CREATION OF ORDER OUT OF DISORDER | 235 |
References | 263 |
Postscript to Second Edition 1986 | 273 |
Additional References | 287 |
Other editions - View all
Laboratory Life: The Construction of Scientific Facts Bruno Latour,Steve Woolgar Limited preview - 2013 |
Laboratory Life: The Construction of Scientific Facts Bruno Latour,Steve Woolgar No preview available - 1986 |
Laboratory Life: The Construction of Scientific Facts Bruno Latour,Steve Woolgar No preview available - 1979 |
Common terms and phrases
agonistic field amino acid analogs analysis analytic chemistry apparatus argued argument artefact assay attempt behaviour bioassay bombesin Burgus career Chapter chemistry chromatography citations cited claim concepts context credibility culture curve discussion distinction endocrinology enzyme evaluation example exchange existence explain figures fraction glucagon grant money Guillemin Guillemin's group hormones hypothalamic important inscription devices interest investigators investment isolation kind knowledge laboratory Latour literary inscription logical mass spectrometer material Maxwell's demon modalities Mulkay nature neuroendocrinology neurotensin norms notion object observer obtained operations oxytocin papers participants particular peptides Photograph position possible problem production programme published purification realised reality reference releasing factors result Schally Schally's group scientific activity scientists selenium sense Social Studies sociological sociologists sociology of science somatostatin spectrometer statement strategy structure Studies of Science subsequent substance synthetic technical technicians techniques tion transformed TRF(H Wilson Woolgar