An interview with Steve Shapin

Abstract

In this interview given to Bernardo J. Oliveira, American historian and sociologist Steven Shapin talks about his new book – “Science as a Vocation: expert knowledge and personal virtue in late modernity – and explains his stance on relativism, philosophers and the so-called war of sciences. Shapin claims he does not consider himself as a relativist in the sense that all opinions are equivalent, but defends methodological relativism as the best way to try to understand the history of the different sciences. He also points out that many strategies have been used by scientists in the quest for credibility for their works. For that reason, Steven Shapin judges that the historian of sciences should deem as relevant every technique of persuasion, rhetorical artifices and appeals that generate confidence. In his criticism of philosophers, he claims that they try to prescribe a normative approach with respect to scientific practice, without understanding how science is done. He draws our attention to the fact that criticism of science is being regarded as an attack on truth and highlights that it is difficult to talk about democracy in a society where the competence of experts is powerful and devoid of responsibility.