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Deconstruction in a 'Thinking' Science: Theoretical Physicists at Work.
- Source :
-
Social Studies of Science (Sage Publications, Ltd.) . Feb97, Vol. 27 Issue 1, p73-111. 39p. - Publication Year :
- 1997
-
Abstract
- In this paper we apply the laboratory study approach of the new sociology of scientific practice to a `thinking science': theoretical physics. To specify the work and accomplishments of theoretical physicists we choose the notion of `deconstruction'. Deconstruction involves the expansion of a concrete object, such as an equation, into a series of other objects upon which the `hardness' of a problem can be shifted and distributed. In solving an equation, however, the determinate path of a deconstruction method needs to be supplemented by the exploration of clues and guesses, trials and tricks. We trace a series of devices, and iterations thereof, which physicists mobilize in dealing with hard problems: formal deconstructions, detours and tricks to identify a working deconstruction, variation, `doing examples' modelling and, finally, thought alliances between subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *SCIENCE & society
*SOCIOLOGY
*PHYSICISTS
*DECONSTRUCTION
*EPISTEMICS
*LABORATORIES
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03063127
- Volume :
- 27
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Social Studies of Science (Sage Publications, Ltd.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 11446171
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/030631297027001004