The Norms of Science

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Questions and Answers

What is the ethos of science according to Robert K. Merton?

  • A complex of values and norms that guide scientific behavior (correct)
  • A set of institutional values that are internalized by scientists
  • A moral consensus among scientists
  • A set of codified rules for scientists

What do the norms of science, as described by Merton, represent?

  • What scientists think is good for them to do
  • What scientists think is morally right
  • What scientists believe they ought to do (correct)
  • What scientists normally do

How do scientists learn about the norms of science?

  • By observing and imitating other scientists (correct)
  • Through formal education and training
  • Through moral consensus among scientists
  • Through a written rule book

What triggers discussions about the norms of science?

<p>Violations of the norms or attacks on the scientific community (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of sanctions in the norms of science?

<p>To enforce the norms of science (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the norms of science and institutional values?

<p>The norms of science are legitimatized by institutional values (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the internalized norms of science?

<p>Scientific conscience (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the ethos of science?

<p>To guide scientific behavior (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern of Merton as a sociologist?

<p>Understanding science as a social group (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the norms identified by Merton?

<p>To build a body of reliable knowledge about the world (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the scientific norm 'Universalism'?

<p>The content of claims about the world (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the common project that defines the tribe of science?

<p>Building a body of reliable knowledge about the world (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Merton's norms in scientific research?

<p>They are essential to the project of building a body of reliable knowledge (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between universalism and the scientific community?

<p>Universalism is a value shared by the scientific community (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author delay discussing objections to the norms?

<p>Because the author wants to focus on scientific anti-norms first (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the follow-up post mentioned by the author?

<p>To explore the values guiding scientists' behavior (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

The Ethos of Science

  • The ethos of science is a complex of values and norms that guide scientists' behavior and are considered binding on them.

Merton's Description of the Ethos

  • The ethos is comprised of prescriptions, proscriptions, preferences, and permissions that are legitimized by institutional values.
  • These norms are transmitted through precept, example, and sanctions, and are internalized by scientists to form their scientific conscience or superego.

The Norms of Science

  • The norms are statements of what scientists believe they ought to do, are allowed to do, and what it would be good for them to do.
  • They are not necessarily what scientists normally do, but rather what they think they should do.

How Norms are Learned

  • Scientists learn the norms by observing what behaviors are rewarded and punished in their community.
  • Norms are often discussed when they are violated or when the scientific community's reputation is attacked.

The Four Norms of Science Identified by Merton

Universalism

  • The idea that the content of claims about the world is what matters, not the characteristics of the people making the claims.

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