From a Latourian perspective to feminist epistemology: Using social studies of science to build stronger research & fruitful science & society interactions

By Livio Riboli-Sasco, co-director of “Ateliers des jours à venir”

Abstract

How can sociology and anthropology help science to improve? This is the question Livio Riboli-Sasco discusses in his lecture. He starts by explaining Merton’s scientific values of universalism, communism, disinterestedness and organized skepticism. He also underlines the cultural rituals of research in laboratories. He then shows how scientists’ social backgrounds influence the research they do and the results they find. This observation leads him to stress the need for diversity of perspectives in science. At the end of his lecture, Livio Riboli-Sasco develops examples of how to include laypersons in scientific research. He advocates for a slower process of research and asks for more time to consult with society.

Summary

00:00:10 – Introduction

00:01:37 – 1. “The Normative Structure of Science”, an article by Robert K. Merton
00:02:00 – 1.1. Merton’s scientific values: universalism, communism, disinterestedness and organized skepticism

00:07:58 – 2. Laboratory Life, a book by Bruno Latour and Steve Woolgar
00:09:54 – 2.1. Cultural rituals in scientific laboratories
00:13:49 – 2.1.1. La vie après la mort d’Henrietta Lacks, a short film by Mathias Théry
00:15:17 – 2.2. The social construction of facts
00:16:40 – 2.2.1. The cycle of credit
00:21:58 – 2.2.2. The imperfections of the scientific publishing system

00:25:28 – 3. An Inquiry into Modes of Existence, a book by Bruno Latour
00:25:50 – 3.1. The online platform http://modesofexistence.org/
00:26:50 – 3.2. Anthropological considerations about science
00:32:05 – 3.3. Should we trust science?

00:34:00 – 4. Who are the scientists?
00:34:37 – 4.1. Donna Haraway
00:35:16 – 4.2. The egg and the sperm
00:38:51 – 4.3. “Sex redefined”, an article in Nature (2015 – February, 18) by Claire Ainsworth
00:43:51 – 4.4. L’Origine du Monde, a comic strip by Liv Strömquist
00:46:43 – 4.5. Improvements in primatology
00:48:00 – 4.6. Pierre Bourdieu’s ideas about society

00:57:00 – 5. The standpoint theory
00:58:30 – 5.1. Being aware of who you are gives a stronger objectivity
00:59:00 – 5.2. The need for diversity in science
00:59:30 – 5.3. Fondation de France and Atelier des Jours à Venir’s collaboration

01:08:15 – Conclusion