Scientific and Medical Knowledge Production, 1796-1918: Experiment, Expertise, Experience

This collection pieces together a wealth of material to understand the ways in which the value of scientific knowledge was produced, lived, and challenged in the long nineteenth century. The sources are not selected based on historical success but on how scientific endeavour loaded knowledge claims with political or moral value. It reveals an experimental culture defined by shifting sets of affective practices and procedures and the making of expertise out of the lived experience of doing science.

Format: Mixed media product
Length: 1258 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive collection brings together a wealth of material to delve into the intricate world of scientific practice during the long nineteenth century. Its primary objective is to gain insight into the processes by which the value of scientific knowledge was created, experienced, and contested. The recent shift towards the history of experience introduces a novel approach to the compilation of material, emphasizing the selection of sources based on the ways in which scientific endeavors imbued knowledge claims with political or moral significance, accompanied by practical justifications. As a result, this collection presents a diverse range of ideas, some of which may be considered outdated or controversial, alongside those that are now widely accepted. In essence, it unveils an experimental culture that went beyond mere pursuit of cold knowledge or intellectual output, characterized by the dynamic interplay of shifting sets of affective practices and procedures, ultimately resulting in the formation of expertise through the lived experience of engaging in scientific endeavors.

Introduction:
The history of science has traditionally been approached from a predominantly intellectual and objective perspective, focusing on the development of scientific theories, experiments, and technologies. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the broader context of scientific practice, including the social, cultural, and political factors that shaped it. This shift towards a more holistic understanding of science has led to the emergence of the history of experience, which emphasizes the subjective and emotional aspects of scientific inquiry.

The Value of Scientific Knowledge:
The history of experience reveals that the value of scientific knowledge was not solely determined by its intellectual rigor or technological advancements. Rather, it was deeply intertwined with the social, cultural, and political contexts in which it was produced and consumed. Scientific knowledge was often used to justify political and economic interests, to reinforce existing power structures, and to control the behavior of individuals and groups. For example, during the colonial era, scientific knowledge was used to justify the exploitation of natural resources and the subjugation of indigenous populations.

Shifting Sets of Affective Practices and Procedures:
The history of experience also highlights the dynamic nature of scientific practice, characterized by the constant evolution of affective practices and procedures. Scientists in the nineteenth century were not merely concerned with acquiring cold knowledge or intellectual output; rather, they were driven by a desire to understand the lived experience of doing science. This led to the development of new methods and techniques, such as participant observation and ethnography, which aimed to capture the subjective experiences and perspectives of scientists and their subjects.

The Making of Expertise:
One of the key findings of the history of experience is that expertise was not merely the result of academic training or theoretical knowledge. Rather, it was forged through the lived experience of doing science. Scientists developed their expertise through repeated interactions with their subjects, through trial and error, and through the accumulation of practical knowledge. This expertise was not only valuable in terms of scientific research but also had broader societal implications, as it was used to shape public policy and decision-making.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the history of experience provides a valuable insight into the complex and multifaceted world of scientific practice in the long nineteenth century. It reveals that the value of scientific knowledge was not solely determined by its intellectual rigor or technological advancements but was deeply intertwined with the social, cultural, and political contexts in which it was produced and consumed. The history of experience also highlights the dynamic nature of scientific practice, characterized by the constant evolution of affective practices and procedures and the formation of expertise through the lived experience of doing science. By understanding the history of experience, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the role of science in shaping our world and for the ethical and social considerations that accompany its development and application.

Weight: 2490g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367443733