The Influence of Social and Political Factors on Scientific Discoveries

Bruno Latour argues that scientific facts cannot be isolated from the social and political factors that shape their discovery and interpretation. He challenges the modernist view that separates nature and culture, showing how scientific knowledge is produced through a complex network of associations between humans and nonhumans. Latour emphasizes the importance of understanding the motivations, funding, and social context behind scientific research. He highlights that facts are not static, but the end result of a laborious and ongoing process. By considering the collective involvement of humans and objects, he aims to redefine the way we think about scientific truths and their relation to society.