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Ethos of Science

This document discusses the ethos of science according to Robert Merton, including the four institutional imperatives that comprise its core values: universalism, communism, disinterestedness, and organized skepticism. Universalism refers to evaluating claims based solely on empirical evidence rather than personal attributes. Communism means scientific knowledge is openly accessible to all. Disinterestedness means claims are not made solely to further personal interests. Organized skepticism means suspending judgment and scrutinizing claims based only on logic and evidence. These norms guide scientific methodology and help distinguish science from other domains of knowledge.

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164 views

Ethos of Science

This document discusses the ethos of science according to Robert Merton, including the four institutional imperatives that comprise its core values: universalism, communism, disinterestedness, and organized skepticism. Universalism refers to evaluating claims based solely on empirical evidence rather than personal attributes. Communism means scientific knowledge is openly accessible to all. Disinterestedness means claims are not made solely to further personal interests. Organized skepticism means suspending judgment and scrutinizing claims based only on logic and evidence. These norms guide scientific methodology and help distinguish science from other domains of knowledge.

Uploaded by

AnilJhajharia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NPTEL Humanities and Social Sciences Science, Technology and Society

Lecture 11
The Ethos of Science
Ethos of science: the affectively toned complex of values and norms which is held to
be binding on the man of science. The norms are expressed in the form of
prescriptions, proscriptions, preferences, and permissions. (268-9)
The goal of science is the extension of certified knowledge, which can be spelled out
in terms of its technical methods: empirically confirmed and logically consistent
statements of regularities (these are often predictions).
The imperatives of science derive from the goal and the methods (e.g., empirically
confirm statements of regularities, be consistent, seek knowledge, certify knowledge,
etc.) More precisely, Merton thinks that empirical methodology is a prerequisite for
sustained true prediction [and] logical consistency, a prerequisite for systematic and
valid prediction. These imperatives are binding not only because they are
procedurally efficient, but because they are believed right and good.
He then flags four institutional imperativesuniversalism, communism,
disinterestedness, and organised skepticismas comprising the ethos of modern
scienceits core values.
Universalism
The acceptance or rejection of a scientific claim should not depend upon the personal
or social background of the person offering that claim.
However science is always situated within a larger society, which may oppose
universalism. Ethnocentrism is not compatible with universalism. Here Merton
notes that even when violated the force of the norm is still evident.
Universalism also mandates that careers be open to talents i.e., that science be a
meritocracy. Since the goal of science is furthering our knowledge, and precluding
competent practitioners would impede this goal, access to scientific careers should
promote be based on competence alone.
Universalism is also a (laissez-faire) democratic principle. As Merton writes,
Impersonal criteria of accomplishment and not fixation of status characterize the
open democratic society.

Joint initiative of IITs and IISc Funded by MHRD

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NPTEL Humanities and Social Sciences Science, Technology and Society

Communism
Established scientific knowledge should be accessible to all members of the scientific
community to use, explore, etc.
In other words, data and theories are not like cars, houses, etc.
If a law, theory, etc. is named after a person, this only bestows prestige upon the
person so named, usually because the law or theory is a significant contribution. Since
this is the only privilege of ownership of a theory, it becomes a prized possession.
Merton notes that originality and priority (who first came up with an idea) are
accented because of this.
As a result communication of scientific results is prized and secrecy about them
scorned.
Interestingly, Merton remarks that the communism of the scientific ethos is
incompatible with the definition of technology as private property in a capitalistic
economy.
Disinterestedness
Scientific claims should not be put forth solely to further ones interests or advance
ones own agenda.
Merton first notes that disinterestedness is an institutional obligation, which should
not be confused with any individual motive. Scientists may have any number of
individual drives and desires (fame, curiosity, altruism, etc.) that motivate them. The
institutional control of a wide range of these motives better characterizes what is
central to science.
This explains why there is little fraud in science. Merton notes that this comes about
because scientists are well-policed by rigorous empirical tests performed by other
scientists.
Scientists also have a very different relationship to lay clientele than other
professions. When there is a stronger relationship between laypeople and scientists,
incentives for fraud and pseudoscience become more pressing.
Organised skepticism
Scientific claims should be evaluated by suspending judgment and scrutinizing claims
in terms of empirical and logical considerations alone.
This often puts science in conflict with other spheres of life, since those spheres often
do not suspend judgment and have fairly well entrenched commitments to certain
ideas.

Joint initiative of IITs and IISc Funded by MHRD

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