Short Abstract:

We explore the theory and praxis underlying a critical science and technology studies. Critical science studies offers a potential new approach to social epistemology.

Long Abstract:

Our two-part panel explores the theory and praxis underlying a critical science and technology studies. As we explore the potential of a critical science and technology studies, we seek a way to conduct social epistemology meaningfully. We address whether critical science and technology studies needs, and can devise, an identity that transcends the idioms of philosophy, sociology, or history of science, while being aware of its epistemic debt to these fields. We will investigate whether a hybrid of logics and the social (datalogics) lends potential in bringing together preoccupations that are seemingly divergent, by stripping away superficial differences and focusing on foundational questions. Through this datalogical turn critical science studies can confront its relationship to technology, to technicity. Using the publication of The Future of Social Epistemology and Social Epistemology and Technology as touchstones—we will consider issues related to the following questions: How might we define critical science and technology studies? Could there be such a thing as a critical science and technology studies method and, if so, how is it different from other existing methods? Is there hope for venturing into transdisciplinarity from interdisciplinarity, or is that a pipe dream epistemically speaking? Could the basis for transdisciplinary method for inquiry emerge from our discussion? If so, what are the parameters? If heterogeneity, rather than homogeneity, in discourse is the aim, how do social epistemologists, among others, ensure we do not talk past each other?