What Strong Sociologists can Learn from Critical Realism: Bloor on the History of Aerodynamics. Issue 1 (10th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Norris, Christopher
• Is Part Of: Journal of critical realism. Volume 13:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2014-02-10
• Subjects: aerodynamics -- anti-realism -- critical realism -- epistemology -- positivism -- reflexivity -- sociology of knowledge -- stratified ontology -- strong programme; Critical realism -- Periodicals; Réalisme critique; 149.205
• DOI: 10.1179/1476743013Z.00000000018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7430

Abstract

Abstract : This essay presents a long, detailed, in many ways critical but also appreciative account, of David Bloor's recent book The Enigma of the Aerofoil . I take that work as the crowning statement of ideas and principles developed over the past four decades by Bloor and other exponents of the 'strong programme' in the sociology of scientific knowledge. It therefore offers both a test-case of that approach and a welcome opportunity to review, clarify and extend some of the arguments brought against it by critical realists. This purpose is particularly well served by Bloor's having here assembled such a wealth of scientific, historical, political and socio-cultural data concerning one specific, very crucial period of research into theories of aerodynamic lift. His book thus provides an exceptionally useful point of engagement for anyone seeking to adjudicate these issues from a critically angled but engaged and constructive standpoint.