John Ziman, Science in Civil Society (Exeter: Imprint Academic, 2008), xvii +362 Pps., $34.90
In the twenty-first century, science is everywhere. But what does it do, and what is the role of science? In short, what is science for? John Ziman was a physicist who worked at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge and devoted much time to the political and social dimension of modern science, and he seeks to address these issues in his latest title. Whereas 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 Joan Solomon.
In this text, Ziman describes how science affects society, as well as how society affects science. He contends that, generally speaking, science is an organized body of knowledge that is codified and made explicit (3). Thus, when one thinks of science, they usually think of professional, organized groups of individuals employed in a specific activity. However, Ziman sees no reason for limiting the term science to such a definition. Moreover, Ziman sees no reason to unnecessarily bifurcate science into ‘natural’ and ‘social’ categories. Rather, he contends that all science is, at the end of the day, social science, because it is the product of a social process (5). Ziman argues that the defining characteristics of science that emerges from the social process include rationality, reliability, specialization, plurality, and instituionality (5–9).
Regarding the relevance of this title to this journal, Ziman argues that science invariably relates to the political dimension of society, especially its commercial sectors, because it is a major element of the economy, and it must conform itself to the social polity in which it is conducted. In fact, science is so vital to the health, wealth, and happiness of a nation that it cannot be ignored by ‘the powers that be’ (13). Moreover, science is now a major source of social power, insomuch as its outward form and supposed function are now governed by various groups, ideas, and political agendas. Thus, science is not only an effective means of technological innovation, and wealth production, but it is also a systemic element in the whole polity (292).
Ziman asserts that science has both instrumental and non-instrumental roles in society, although he spends more time in this text explicating the non-instrumental roles of science. Indeed, he notes that the human sciences perform many direct non-instrumental roles in any given society. For example, the science of history warns our rulers of the likely consequences of their actions, and the science of economics reveals some of the risks and uncertainties of current doctrines (45). Furthermore, the sciences of sociology and anthropology often report on ‘paradises’ that are now lost and likely never to be regained (46–47). Yet another non-instrumental role of science is to inject ‘;scientific attitudes’ into public disputation insomuch as modern laymen now often speak in scientific jargon and style around the proverbial dinner table. Contrary to what many – or even most! – scientists may believe, Ziman avers that one of the strictly non-instrumental roles social roles of science is to affirm and reinforce the moral and epistemic pluralism that underlies our civilization (55).
Ziman contends that there are several conditions that must in place before the non-instrumental roles of science actually benefit a society (88–91). For example, the knowledge that it produces must be open for use in law, politics, and social issues, meaning that it must be made completely public. To remain fully open to knowledge about the natural world, moreover, science must also be imaginative. Further, it must be self-critical in order to ensure that scientific conjectures are put through the mills of experiment and debate. Finally, many of the non-instrumental roles of science depend upon it s reputation for objectivity.
In sum, the role of science in society depends on which bit of science one is talking about, as well as the social scene where this part is to be performed (225). However, Ziman acknowledges that the role of science in our postmodern society is often adversarial (302). Throughout, Ziman argues that science is social institution that produces codified knowledge (e.g., 175). For the readers who have an interest in science and its role in society, I heartily recommend this title.
Bradford McCall, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA