{"product_id":"explaining-scientific-consensus-the-case-of-mendelian-genetics-9780898620887","title":"Explaining Scientific Consensus: The Case of Mendelian Genetics","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe recognition of science as a social process in which dissent and negotiation take place is not a new concept. The role of consensus and the extent to which personal relationships affect its formation  however  are rarely discussed in the literature. Examining these phenomena  Kyung-Man Kim argues that sociologists and historians present a deficient account of how science produces reliable knowledge because they have primarily focused on the drama of conflict and disagreements rather than on the process of reaching consensus. Through a careful examination of the community of the evolutionary biologists and geneticists at the turn of the 20th century  Kim reveals the interplay among scientists that generated acceptance of Mendelian genetics. His analysis reveals the inherent weakness in contemporary accounts  and lays the groundwork for a more democratic sociological theory of consensus formation.  Based on a large survey of published articles as well as unpublished letters  Kim describes in vivid detail the history of the Mendelian debates. This history serves to illustrate his main theme  as he offers a detailed critique of Mertons structural-functional account of science  and discusses the three dominant research programs in the contemporary sociology of science  including Bloor and Barness strong programme  Collinss empirical program of relativism  and Latours actor-network theory. Throughout  the role of mutual persuasion and criticism in reaching consensus among scientists of differing orientations is clearly illustrated.  Developing a unique approach to the formation of scientific consensus  Kim focuses on the so called \"middle-level\" scientists and their essential role in criticizing and controlling the more single-minded and prominent elite scientists. Kim contends that it is through these scientists  who are often more accessible in university settings  that new discoveries and ideas will be generally accepted in the scientific community  displayed in textbooks  and eventually  accepted into the core knowledge.  Including a foreword by Donald Campbell and commentaries by eminent historians of genetics  Nils Roll-Hansen and Robert Olby  this important new book will inform sociologists and historians of science  as well as philosophers interested in recent developments of sociology of scientific knowledge. An ideal teaching text  it will be highly useful in courses dealing with genetics  sociology  or philosophy of science\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45788409397301,"sku":"ByrdShop_0898620880","price":238.52,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780898620887.jpg?v=1784645017","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/explaining-scientific-consensus-the-case-of-mendelian-genetics-9780898620887","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}