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David Bloor
David was born on May 11, 1934, in Somerton-Belmont County, Ohio, to Clifford G. and Amelia A Jones Bloor. He later passed away on June 10, 2024. -
background knowledge
David Bloor, a British sociologist with a background in philosophy and mathematics, has emerged as one of the most influential figures in sociology studies. His influence in this field is significant and commands respect and appreciation. He currently holds the professor position in the Science Studies Unit at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Before his psychology analysis, Bloor researched the philosophy of science at Cambridge. -
Knowledge and Social Imagery
In 1976, Bloor authored and published the first edition of "Knowledge and Social Imagery." His work examined the relationship between scientific knowledge and sociology. David Bloor argued that sociologists used to focus only on explaining false beliefs, while true beliefs were considered self-evident or resulting from rational discovery and, therefore, required no explanation. He referred to this approach as the Weak Programme. -
A Sociological Analysis
Bloor co-authored the article "Scientific Knowledge: A Sociological Analysis" with John Henry and Barry Barnes in 1996. The book focuses on the concept that science is a profoundly social enterprise easily influenced by the culture in which it is embedded. This work helped to mark the first introduction to the social studies of science. -
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Bloor's transformation of sociology
Bloor's work was a transformative force in the sociology of science. It upended the traditional view of science as a linear accumulation of objective facts and brought the intricate interplay between scientific knowledge and social forces to the fore. This approach has revolutionized our understanding of how scientific knowledge is constructed and validated.
