Publisher Description

These days, science is everywhere. It pervades our whole society. Sometimes it is just a clutter of commonplace frivolities, like new fashion fabrics. Sometimes it miraculously preserves our life, like penicillin. Sometimes, like climate change, it looms over us as a portent of doom: sometimes it promises a way of escape from such a fate. Sometimes, like a nuclear warhead, it enshrouds us in political terror: sometimes, like a verification technology, it offers an antidote to such evils. How should we respond to this ambiguous and ubiquitous thing called science?

Author Biography

John Ziman FRS was a physicist who worked at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambrdige and devoted much time to the political and social dimension of modern science. He died in 2005, having written over 20 books. "Science in civil society" was left in manuscript and has been edited for publication by his widow, the physicist and educationalist Joan Solomon.

Table of Contents

1. What is science for? 2. Instrumental and pre-instrumental roles. 3. The non-instrumental roles of science. 4. Producing knowledgeable people. 5. The rise of technoscience. 6. Academic science as a non-instrumental mode of knowledge production. 7. The transition to Post-academic Science. 8. Post-academic science as a social institution. 9. Belief and action. 10. The pluralism of global knowledge. 11. Science in post-modern society. 12. Science, citizenship and civil society.

Review

"Ziman's view is refreshing and inspiring for those who are similarly concerned about the blurred distinction between public and private research; a timely concern. One of the book's greatest strengths comes from Ziman's personal relationship to the material ... his personal experience makes his views insightful and credible. ... [Ziman has] outlined useful parameters for thinking through the complicated relationships among science, industry and civil society; and further he has made a strong argument for the necessity of such thinking." -- Nathan Harron Metapsychology (vol. 13, issue 8) "For readers who have an interest in science and its role in society, I heartily recommend this title." -- Bradford McCall Political Studies Review "Science has many faces and contexts, which Ziman explores in this stimulating and engaging book. ... Scientists interested in understanding their broader role will find this book an invaluble source of ideas." The Scientific and Medical Network (Winter 2008)

Long Description

These days, science is everywhere. It pervades our whole society. Sometimes it is just a clutter of commonplace frivolities, like new fashion fabrics. Sometimes it miraculously preserves our life, like penicillin. Sometimes, like climate change, it looms over us as a portent of doom: sometimes it promises a way of escape from such a fate. Sometimes, like a nuclear warhead, it enshrouds us in political terror: sometimes, like a verification technology, it offers an antidote to such evils. How should we respond to this ambiguous and ubiquitous thing called science?

Review Quote

"Ziman's view is refreshing and inspiring for those who are similarly concerned about the blurred distinction between public and private research; a timely concern. One of the book's greatest strengths comes from Ziman's personal relationship to the material ... his personal experience makes his views insightful and credible. ... [Ziman has] outlined useful parameters for thinking through the complicated relationships among science, industry and civil society; and further he has made a strong argument for the necessity of such thinking". Nathan Harron, Metapsychology (17/02/2009, Volume 13 issue 8)"For readers who have an interest in science and its role in society, I heartily recommend this title." Bradford McCall, Political Studies Review."Science has many faces and contexts, which Ziman explores in this stimulating and engaging book. ... Scientists interested in understanding their broader role will find this book an invaluble source of ideas". The Scientific and Medical Network (Winter, 2008)

Details