Boundary-Work and the Demarcation of Science from Non-Science: Strains and Interests in Professional Ideologies of Scientists Export

@article{citeulike:387460, abstract = {The demarcation of science from other intellectual activities-long an analytic problem for philosophers and sociologists-is here examined as a practical problem for scientists. Construction of a boundary between science and varieties of non-science is useful for scientists' pursuit of professional goals: acquisition of intellectual authority and career opportunities; denial of these resources to \"pseudoscientists\"; and protection of the autonomy of scientific research from political interference. \"Boundary-work\" describes an ideological style found in scientists' attempts to create a public image for science by contrasting it favorably to non-scientific intellectual or technical activities. Alternative sets of characteristics available for ideological attribution to science reflect ambivalences or strains within the institution: science can be made to look empirical or theoretical, pure or applied. However, selection of one or another description depends on which characteristics best achieve the demarcation in a way that justifies scientists' claims to authority or resources. Thus, \"science\" is no single thing: its boundaries are drawn and redrawn inflexible, historically changing and sometimes ambiguous ways.}, author = {Gieryn, Thomas F.}, citeulike-article-id = {387460}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/2095325}, journal = {American Sociological Review}, keywords = {experts, profession, pus, science-studies, sociology}, number = {6}, pages = {781--795}, posted-at = {2008-11-17 20:07:32}, priority = {2}, title = {Boundary-Work and the Demarcation of Science from Non-Science: Strains and Interests in Professional Ideologies of Scientists}, url = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/2095325}, volume = {48}, year = {1983} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:387460 L3 - citeulike-article-id:387460 N2 - The demarcation of science from other intellectual activities-long an analytic problem for philosophers and sociologists-is here examined as a practical problem for scientists. Construction of a boundary between science and varieties of non-science is useful for scientists' pursuit of professional goals: acquisition of intellectual authority and career opportunities; denial of these resources to "pseudoscientists"; and protection of the autonomy of scientific research from political interference. "Boundary-work" describes an ideological style found in scientists' attempts to create a public image for science by contrasting it favorably to non-scientific intellectual or technical activities. Alternative sets of characteristics available for ideological attribution to science reflect ambivalences or strains within the institution: science can be made to look empirical or theoretical, pure or applied. However, selection of one or another description depends on which characteristics best achieve the demarcation in a way that justifies scientists' claims to authority or resources. Thus, "science" is no single thing: its boundaries are drawn and redrawn inflexible, historically changing and sometimes ambiguous ways. IS - 6 JF - American Sociological Review EP - 795 TI - Boundary-Work and the Demarcation of Science from Non-Science: Strains and Interests in Professional Ideologies of Scientists VL - 48 SP - 781 KW - experts KW - profession KW - pus KW - science-studies KW - sociology AU - Gieryn, Thomas PY - 1983/// UR - http://www.jstor.org/stable/2095325 ER -