Knowledge, the context distinction and its impact on the relation between philosophy and sociology of science

Abstract

The relation between philosophy and sociology of science can be characterized by an impressive gap, which seemed to be unbridgeable for several decades. This might be astonishing as both disciplines deal with the same subject matter and both disciplines try to understand what science is. Indisputably, there are various overlaps between the two disciplines and one would expect a lively, interdisciplinary discussion. However, the opposite is the case. To this day, there are persistent obstacles, which hamper a fruitful exchange. Bringing together philosophy and sociology of science, but also history of science, to a joint interdisciplinary field remains a desideratum. Since the early 1970s, there has been progress in establishing science studies, which include historical, sociological, ethnological, psychological, cultural, political and economical aspects. However, to this day there have been serious difficulties to integrate mainstream philosophy of science into this dialogue. The historians of science Schickore and Steinle state that