Kuhn and the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge

20-21 March 2006

Venue: University of Cambridge, UK

The conference aims to consider Kuhn's legacy by examining the relationship 
between his ideas and work done in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge 
(SSK). Some proponents of SSK have presented themselves as the true 'heirs' 
to the Kuhnian programme; others have been more critical of Kuhn's 
influence. Kuhn himself made some highly critical remarks on SSK. The 
conflicting perspectives on the relationship between Kuhn and SSK are 
reflected also in recent new interpretations of Kuhn's work. The conference 
aims to open up a dialogue between 'Kuhnian philosophers' and practitioners 
of SSK. The ultimate goal is to reflect on the state and the future 
prospects of science studies at the beginning of the 21st century and the 
role of Kuhn and SSK therein.

The conference is free of charge and open to all.

Conference organisers: Ipek Demir and Martin Kusch (History and Philosophy 
of Science, University of Cambridge, UK)

Monday 20 March

9-11am
Mill Lane Lecture Room

Simon Schaffer, University of Cambridge 'Making Discoveries in Kuhn'

Respondent: Paul Hoyningen-Huene, University of Hannover
Chair: Martin Kusch


11-11.30am Coffee break at HPS

11.30-12.50
Mill Lane Lecture Room

Steve Sturdy, University of Edinburgh 'Kuhn for Clinicians: Laboratory 
Knowledge and Clinical Cases in Edinburgh, 1897-1920'

Rachel Cooper, University of Lancaster 'Problems with Understanding the 
Other: Psychiatry as a Test Case'

12.50-2.30pm Lunch break

2.30-4.30pm
Mill Lane Lecture Room

Staffan Mueller-Wille, University of Exeter 'Knowledge and History: Fleck 
and Kuhn on Scientific Change'

Vidar Enebakk, University of Oslo 'More on Bloor: Understanding the Relation 
Between Kuhn and SSK by way of Imre Lakatos'

Vasso Kindi, University of Athens 'Kuhn's "Made up" Sociology and the 
Descriptive Turn in Science Studies'

4.30-5pm Tea break at HPS

5.00-6.20pm
Seminar Room, HPS

Ipek Demir, University of Cambridge 'Kuhn's Incommensurabilities and 
Finitism'

Juan V. Mayoral, UNED, Madrid 'Kuhn and the Sociology of Scientific 
Language'


Tuesday 21 March

10am-12noon
Mill Lane Lecture Room

Alexander Bird, University of Bristol 'The Strong Programme, Kuhn, and the 
Naturalistic Study of Science'

Respondent: Peter Lipton, University of Cambridge
Chair: Ipek Demir

12-1pm Lunch

1-3pm
Mill Lane Lecture Room

Aviezer Tucker, Queen's University 'Kuhn and the Sociology of Historical 
Knowledge'

Thomas Sturm, Max Plank Institute for the History of Science, Berlin 'Is the 
Distinction Between Discovery and Justification Useless? Some Comparisons 
Between Kuhn and the SSK'

Jouni-Matti Kuukkanen, University of Edinburgh 'Realism and Rationalism in 
Historical Explanations'

For accommodation information: We ask conference attendants to make their 
own arrangments for accommodation. Please see the Visit Cambridge website 
for a comprehensive list of accommodation available in Cambridge.

For information on how to get to Cambridge: See the University's information 
for visitors, the map showing the location of HPS and the map showing the 
location of the Mill Lane Lecture Rooms.

During Lent Term, the STS Workshop meetings in HPS will focus on the theme 
of Kuhn and the SSK. All are welcome.