Is anyone aware of a "psychophenomenobiography" that addresses the nature of scientific movements (for example, a work similar in vein to Eric Hoffer's "The True Believer", except with science as opposed to religion as the subjec

-- Mirisse Foroughe (mirisse@yorku.ca), March 12, 2001

Answers

Hi Mirisse, I don't know how applicable....or perhaps amenable, but do you know of Randall Collins' 'The Sociology of Philosophies'. International in perspective, with good attention to pragmatic and empirical thought evolution in the wild West. I'll bring a copy on Tues. to peruse. Regards, Stefan.

-- Stefan Majumdar (cyclone@pathcom.com), April 09, 2001.

'lo Mirisse, Having read Hoffer's book (yawn), I don't know of any others off hand that may be analogous to it (unique but flawed) but Laurice suggests you try reading "Science As A Way Of Knowing : The Foundations of..." by John A. Moore. Consult with someone about this book before borrowing/purchasing/perusing. 2think.org should have info on it & others that may be of help. There may be other sites on tne net that have a comprehensive review of what it entails & if it's flexible enough to bend/bow before your grace. I hope I was of some assistance to you, Revvy.

"But what is the greatest tragedy of all? Is it not the one where men/women mount entire careers based on a fallacy? It is this same "self" that has one hand firmly on the pen & the other gripping tightly to the razor blade; the "true-self"." - known

-- Revel Dansir (massive_headache@hotmail.com), May 01, 2001.

Isn't this the point of Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions? (University of Chicago Press) and all the later discussion of scientific paradigms? And also, to some extent, of Berger and Luckman's The Social Construction of Reality? Both of these have generated extensive secondary literatures, and they're well worth reading.

-- Hendrika Vande Kemp (hendrika@fuller.edu), May 08, 2001.