Article: Symmetry Dilemma Between Social Context And Knowledge: Redefinition Of The Sociological Approach Models Of The Knowledge Problem

Abstract

The text deals with the sociological approach models of the knowledge problem theme. More precisely, the application of symmetry concept to explain the relations which are established between social context and scientific knowledge. The symmetry concept constitutes the most well known and also most controversial methodological principle of the Strong Program in knowledge sociology. David Bloor has conceived it to show that in the sociological approach of scientific knowledge the same factors should be used to explain both the “true” and “false” beliefs. In our point of view, heuristic value of the concept transcends the specific debate of sociological approach transposition to scientific knowledge content, proposed by Bloor, as it makes it possible to evaluate recent development meaning of sociological approach of knowledge and both meaning and reach of the preceding approaches. Thus, we argue that knowledge problem app roach may be interpreted as a progressive extension of the symmetry principle: symmetry between science and other social institutions, symmetry between true and false knowledge, and symmetry between human and non- human dimension. Keywords: symmetry, Sociology, knowledge, science