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Early Life
David Bloor was born in Derby, Derbyshire, England in 1942. Growing up he attended university at Edinburgh and graduated with a PhD whilst studying the field of mathematics, philosophy, and psychology in 1972. From here, a prestigious career for great contributions lay in wait for David. -
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Getting Strong With His First Book
He spent the 70's working with the likes of Barry Barnes where they became standout figures of the Strong Programme, a expansive view of sociology of scientific knowledge (SSK), that attributed unparalleled advancements and progression of the scientific community. Deliberately forming abrasive stances on many sociological stances they had viewed as weak and/or counterproductive. In 1976 he authored the Knowledge and Social Imagery (1st Edition), highlighting science's relation to sociology. -
Wittgenstein: A Social Theory of Knowledge
Addressing the body of work produced by Wittgenstein, Bloor dives into the sociological and naturalist impacts. Detailing the importance of valuing the society as a whole, valuing its progression and stability of the individual. Taking these notions and elaborating on them with the use of history, social science, and anthropological examples. All whilst formulating each comparison and point into an empirical format. -
Scientific Knowledge: A Sociological Analysis
Collaborating with long time colleagues Barry Barnes and John Henry, the trio publish a body of work that fixates on the scientific process. Addressing how science is a collaborative effort in the modern world, influenced by subtle and wider culture and opinions of its time. It also focuses on the social studies and impacts of scientific knowledge, breaking down the approach to science regardless of your own place within it. He was also awarded the John Desmond Bernal Prize this year! -
Wittgenstein: Rules and Institutions
Once again addressing the works of role model Wittgenstein, Bloor continues his interpretations. Processing these ideas and expanding on how sociologically the individual and the group approaches rules and rule-following. This publication served as one of the first effective interpretations of Wittgenstein's work for a number of years. -
The Enigma of the Aerofoil: Rival Theories in Aerodynamics, 1909-1930
A departure from his usual work, Bloor takes a unique approach to analyzing the history, sociology, and scientific process of the time. The how and potential why British shortcoming were accepted for so long even after being proved blatantly inaccurate. How war-sentiment impacted progress due to German engineering serving as the greatest pioneers on the subject at the time. -
Video Presentation on Bloor and the Strong Programme
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References
“David Bloor.” MPIWG, https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/users/dbloor.
“Scientific Knowledge.” University of Chicago Press, 1 July 1996, https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo3615373.html.
“The Enigma of the Aerofoil.” University of Chicago Press, 1 Nov. 2011, https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/E/bo12024403.html.
“Wittgenstein, Rules and Institutions.” Routledge & CRC Press, https://www.routledge.com/Wittgenstein-Rules-and-Institutions/Bloor/p/book/9780415161480. -
Conclusions
Now age 81, David Bloor has a lasting legacy of significant impact on the communities of science, sociology, and more after a prestigious career of substantial contributions. Besides is aforementioned books, he has also published 19 known articles further advancing the conversation at large. There is no doubt the philosophy of science would not be what it is today, if not for the strong work of David Bloor! Pun intended.