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Micro-studies of the Manufacturing of Knowledge Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods | lab-society Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society Classic Anthropology • Focus on the ‘other’ • Analysis of cultural shape, habits, objects and actions • Asymmetric perspective: primitive versus civilized • Science and technology • Focus on non-western cultures • Focus on differences and similarities Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society Modern Anthropology • Focus on western culture as well • Symmetric perspective Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society Science and technology studies • Shift van S.S.K. to S.S.P • Concept of science and technology as practice: – feature of industrialized culture – as specific ethnographic domain Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society WHAT HAS ANTHROPOLOGY TO OFFER TO STS? • TOOLS: – 1 Cultural perspective – 2 Expertise in the study of knowledge systems – 3 Instruments to study the material culture • METHODS – 1 Genre of ethnography – 2 Participant observation – 3 Outsiders perspective Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society TOOLS 1: CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE • Symmetric approach: – – – – others - ours human - things myths - science western - non western • Concept of ‘culture’ in relation to science and technology practices • native’s point of view • thick description – Clifford Geertz Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society TOOLS 2: KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS • Definition of culture: – “A historically developed pattern of meanings which are expressed through symbolic forms which are used to communicate about, to preserve and develop the knowledge about life and the way we relate to life’ (Geertz) • locally and historically defined • Obduracy Anthrop. | STS| Tools | Methods | lab-society TOOLS 3: MATERIAL CULTURE • Practice of usage • Role of objects in STS – ANT: agency – resembles ‘object’ in primitive cultures in classical anthropology Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society METHODS • ’Laboratory life’ by Latour and Woolgar • Genre of ethnography – notion of culture – space • participant observation – – – – spectrum of activities social structure local historical practice communication • outsiders perspective – different conceptual frame (second order concepts) Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society LABORATORY STUDIES • Characterized by: – direct observation of activities – mapping of instrumental, symbolic and social environment involved in construction of facts/artefacts • science and technology practice are considered as contextual practices bound to local circumstances – facts are local • Transfer of scientific products is problematic • Solution – normalize lab products – change society to lab conditions Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society WHAT IS THE RELATION BETWEEN THE LAB AND SOCIETY? • TWO PERSPECTIVES: – 1. The lab is the result of social relations (knorr-Cetina) – 2. The lab produces society (Latour) Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society 1. The lab is the result of social relations • Karin Knorr-Cetina • Lab is the result of social relations in society • World outside is source of of funding, external disciplinary contacts, symbolic, financial and social means • Society is not controlled by science, but the lab is the location where social conflicts are discussed and solved • Lab itself is no active institution but a passive location Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society 2. The lab produces society • Bruno Latour: ‘give me a laboratory and I raise the world’ • Society adjust itself to the conditions of the lab • Co-production of nature and culture • lab transforms the chaotic world into an orderly world • transformation in scale • asymmetric power relation: sciences defines reality Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society 2. The lab produces society • Critique on Latour’s perspective: – Over estimation of power of the lab – Lab products can change dramatically outside the lab – Boundary between lab and society is fading • Ulrich Beck: Scientification of Society – first stage: scientific products applied on social problems (technological fix) – second stage: focus of science on social problems as well as problems caused by science itself – Socialization of science and technology + Scientification of society Anthrop | STS| Tools | Methods |lab-society METHODOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS • Extending the scope of ethnographic studies in STS – lab is just one location of knowledge production – shift from social construction of facts/artifacts to cultural reconstruction of scientific products • Developing an interdisciplinary critical cultural approach – from anthropology to cultural studies