Scientific Knowledge and the Transgression of Boundaries

Download or read book Scientific Knowledge and the Transgression of Boundaries written by Bettina-Johanna Krings and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-11-30 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The aim of this book is to understand and critically appraise science-based transgression dynamics in their whole complexity. It includes contributions from experts with different disciplinary backgrounds, such as philosophy, history and sociology. Thus, it is in itself an example of boundary transgression.Scientific disciplines and their objects have tended to be seen as permanent and distinct. However, science is better conceived as an activity that constantly surpasses, erases and rebuilds all kinds of boundaries, either disciplinary, socio-ethical or ecological. This transgressive capacity, a characteristic trait of science and its applications, defines us as “knowledge societies.” However, scientific and technological developments are also sources of serious environmental and social concerns.