Collective Scientific Knowledge

Bibliographic Data

ID4079370
AuthorsMelinda Bonnie Fagan (Rice University, corresponding author), Melinda Fagan
Year2012
Volume7
Issue12
Pages821-831
Publication date2012-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy Compass (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1747-9991 • E-ISSN: 1747-9991
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1747-9991.2012.00528.x
OpenAlexW1691637810
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited24

Philosophical debates about collective scientific knowledge concern two distinct theses: (1) groups are necessary to produce scientific knowledge, and (2) groups have scientific knowledge in their own right. Thesis (1) has strong support. Groups are required, in many cases of scientific inquiry, to satisfy methodological norms, to develop theoretical concepts, or to validate the results of inquiry as scientific knowledge. So scientific knowledge-production is collective in at least three respects. However, support for (2) is more equivocal. Though some examples suggest that groups have scientific knowledge independently of their individual members, these cases are also explained in terms of relational complexes of members' beliefs

Epistemology · Knowledge management · Sociology · Sociology of scientific knowledge · Computer Science · Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics · Feminist Epistemology and Gender Studies · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Psychology

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