In the Search of Universal Cannons of Rationality: Talking with Harry Collins about the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge and Knowledge Science

Abstract

When the history of the Science and Technology Sudies field is written, Harry Collins will certainly be seen as part of the 'core-set' he taught us so much in his studies of controversies in physics. From his pioneering work on the role of tacit knowledge in scientific practice and on the dynamics of experimenter’s regress in scientific controversies to his more recent forays into the domain of artificial intelligence, Collins’ contributions have been decisive in shaping scholarly dialogue on the character of science and knowledge during the last two decades. In this interview, Collins talks about the history of his personal involvement with the sociological study of science, the present and future of the sociology of scientific knowlege, its differences with actor-network theory, his recent work on knowledge science and his ongoing research on the field of gravitational radiation.