Sociology - Science

Falsificationism - all ideas are open to criticism and testing. Knowledge is cumulative - it builds. Nothing is sacred or absolute truth - things can always be questioned.

Science can only thrive as a major institution if it receives support from other institutions and values. Science needs an 'ethos' to make scientists serve the goal of increasing scientific knowledge. C is for COMMUNISM - not keeping things private. e.g scientists must share by publishing findings. U is for UNIVERSALISM - universal, objective criteria such as testing. D is for DISINTERESTEDNESS - being committed to discovering knowledge for it's own sake. O and S are for ORGANISED SCEPTICISM - no knowledge claim is 'truth' or 'sacred'.

Polanyi argues all belief systems reject fundamental challenges to their knowledge claims and science is no different. Kuhn - PARADIGM - a set of shared assumptions. Any scientist who challenges the paradigm is ridiculed, unless it is in a period of 'scientific revolution.'

If something bad happens, the people think it is witchcraft. They admit a potion or 'benge' to a chicken. If it dies, the accuser is the source of witchcraft. (Very brief,shortened down description). Evans Pritchard says the belief system performs useful social functions. e.g encourages neighbours to respect each other. BUT the belief system is highly resistant to challenges, the believes are trapped within their own 'idiom of belief'.

Marxism and Feminism - scientific knowledge serves interests of dominant groups. (Ruling Class/Men.) Postmodernism - Science has become 'technoscience' serving capitalist's interest by making stuff for profit. Lyotard - META NARRATIVES - Science is a 'big story' that falsely claims to possess the truth.