Review by Choice Review
Sismondo surveys the field of the sociology of science, known as "STS" (here referred to as "ST&S"). As it is derived from a doctoral dissertation, it has both the advantages and disadvantages of such a work. The advantage lies in a thorough review and polite description of the range of positions in STS, from extreme "anti-realism" and "social constructivism" to "naive realism." This survey is quite clear and reasonable, and might serve as an introductory resource to a field littered with formidable name-dropping, dense rationales, and slanted adumbrations difficult to justify to a thesis committee. The disadvantage is that in order to satisfy a committee, the author characterizes the competitors rather politely, inserting post hoc justifications that preclude conclusive criticism. The result here is that Sismondo advocates a compromise position of a modest realism that allows, but limits, the social construction of noetic metaphors (hence the title "without myth"). Since the resulting theoretical models become heuristic, this argument should appeal to working scientists who are comfortable with such a representation, for it allows knowledge-claims to be "objectively" tested without the draconian results of falsification or verificationist strategies. Although rather sprawling in its myriad "isms" and their practitioners, this book is both sensible and accessible, thus suitable for use in undergraduate philosophy and sociology courses (and those of STS). P. D. Skiff Bard College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
