science and society

This paper analyzes the traditional approach to the sociology of science based upon Karl Mannheim?s sociology of knowledge. Robert Merton?s program is discussed as the basis of sociology of science. Furthermore, Kuhn is acknowledged as having set up the foundation for a new paradigm in the sociology of science.

This paper intends to defend the work of Kuhn as the framework by which other current studies in the social sciences under the name of 'sociologies of scientific knowledge' have come about. Finally, several key pedagogical issues taken from the traditional sociology of science as argued by Merton are discussed. It has been found that pedagogy in terms of sociology of science has closely followed the framework used by the other social sciences. Several advances and achievements that have recently made some headway are discussed.

 

Key words: Science and Society, Sociology of Science, Pedagogical Epistemology, Science Education.

In this article, the conceptions on the professional, personal, and political reconstitution assumed by 236 science teachers from the different Autonomic Communities are assessed. The authors have reflected on the lifelong professional development of educators through eight formative organizers and 40 educational topics specified in a Questionnaire on Heteroformation, composed of 293 items. 166 subhypothesis were tested, and later reduced to 14 verified. At the end recommendations are made of the perspectives on permanent development in the field of natural science.

 

Key words: In-service Education Evaluation, Training Programs, Teacher Centers, Professional Development, Science Education, Science In-service Teacher Education, Science and Society.