Epistemic Cultures: Towards a New Sociology of Knowledge

Abstract

The rapid integration of nations, regions and localities into the world economy, the increasing density of communication networks and the diminishing importance of national boundaries for the flow of commodities, capital, workers, information and knowledge have established conditions for the rise of a knowledge-driven world economy and society. Epistemic cultures of vast knowledge producing and processing organisations increasingly structure society. The old question of classical sociology, initiated by Karl Marx and Max Weber, whether the relations of production or rather knowledge and the spirit of capitalism determine economy and society seems to have been settled once and for all in favour of the Weberian position. Knowledge governs economy and society. But now this process appears to reach a new stage, not thought of by Scheler, where Sein und Bewusstsein merge and knowledge becomes a reality. This is the new reality with which a new sociology of knowledge has to contend.