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Under The Microscope

CULTURAL BOUNDARIES OF SCIENCE -- CREDIBILITY ON THE LINE, by Thomas F. Gieryn; University of Chicago Press, 1999; 398 pp; $42.00

Reviewed by Vicki Hyde

As someone who did a degree in sociology alongside a real science degree, I approached this book with some interest. Sociology professor Thomas Gieryn has taken an often-critical look at what and who defines the boundaries of science, exploring the edges where science, pseudo-science and non-science clash against each other. I'm not sure if I agree with his concept of science as being secure in its epistemic authority (certainly not in many of the debates in which I particpate!), but his analysis of the "downstream" areas of science as it is perceived in society makes for thought-provoking, if not challenging reading.

There's discussion of the cultural cartography of science -- attempts to map the boundaries of Science. Where does one place the social sciences, the often-disregarded poor cousins of the natural sciences? Gieryn looks at some historical examples of attempts to define those areas, whether by scientists themselves or through the offices of Congress. He also takes on some interesting examples of science as a legitimizing force, whether the phrenology debate of last century or the cold fusion furore of last decade.

Finally he holds out some promise for the conclusion of the current "science wars", seeing it as a means of drawing science more into the heart of culture where both its strengths and weaknesses will be better recognised.

Vicki Hyde is the editor of New Zealand Science Monthly.