Re-crafting Rationalization
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1999a
A01=Simon Locke
Astounding Science Fiction
ATP
Author_Simon Locke
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Charles Fort
classical social theory
comics
conspiracy
Conspiracy Beliefs
Conspiracy Discourse
conspiracy theory studies
discourse
enchanted
Enchanted Science
Enthymematic Reasoning
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eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_science
eq_society-politics
ethnomethodology
Extra Terrestrial
Fringe Science
Human Suffering
Intellectualist Rationalization
locke
Locke 1999a
Mad Doctor
Mundane Idealizations
Mundane Mysteries
Mundane Reasoning
Priestly Discourse
Priestly Voice
Principle Knowability
Public Engagement
public understanding of science
reflexive
Reflexive Spirituality
rhetorical analysis of science communication
science
science and religion
sociology of knowledge
spirituality
superhero
Superhero Comics
Theoretical Mastery
Vice Versa
Weber's Rationalization Thesis
Weber’s Rationalization Thesis
Product details
- ISBN 9780754678304
- Weight: 544g
- Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
- Publication Date: 28 Jan 2011
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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Re-crafting Rationalization contributes to debates relating to the public understanding of science, regarding the conceptualization of the relationship between 'science' and 'the public'. It challenges the prevailing science-centred or 'top-down' framework that currently informs notions of 'public engagement' and 'knowledge-transfer', offering an alternative that remains firmly grounded in the discourse of classical social theory. By proposing an alternative version of rationalization to the standard interpretation of Weber's disenchantment thesis, this book establishes the public understanding of science as a matter of fundamental sociological concern. As such, it redefines this field to emphasize public meanings of science, engaging with a range of topics of major interest to the public and popular meaning of science, including science and religion, science fiction and fantasy, 'fringe' science and media representations of science. Combining rhetorical analysis with ethnomethodology and membership categorization analysis, the book outlines the basis of a new approach to the sociology of knowledge, in the light of which Weber's rationalization thesis is radically re-crafted in relation to studies of scientists' discourse, the rhetoric of science popularization and public usages of science. This re-crafted rationalization is applied in a series of detailed empirical studies of enchanted science (creationism and intelligent design, Scientology and reflexive spirituality, superhero comics) and mundane mysteries (Fortean discourse, conspiracy theory and media representations of 'the scientist' in the case of Jack the Ripper). Re-crafting Rationalization therefore redresses a significant shortcoming in contemporary social theory, which currently overlooks or misrepresents important public meanings of science, whilst excluding popular culture from attention. With profound implications for the ways in which we make sense of developments involving science, this book will be of interest not only to sociologists and social theorists, but also to those interested in popular culture and subcultures and the history, philosophy and sociology of science.
Simon Locke is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Science at Kingston University, UK
