Jumping Frames: Reflexivity and Recursion in the Sociology of Science

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Abstract
Recent work in the sociology of science has been characterized by a lively debate between the `reflexive' and the `strong' programmes. Mulkay's most noteworthy contribution to this debate is an attempt to show the recursive loops that `strong' programmers get into, because they fail to pay enough attention to the reflexive nature of their `scientific' accounts. He also `jumps frame' and utilizes the format of a play to display his results, so as to make it quite apparent that he is aware of the constructed nature of his own `scientific' account. This paper aims to point out similar problems with the `reflexive' programme's agenda. Its `mini-play' attempts to show the recursive loops that `reflexive' programmers get into because they, too, have failed to pay enough attention to the subtly coercive nature of their scientific accounts. Like Mulkay, I conclude by realizing the necessity for `jumping frames'. However, I do not look to drama for help, but rather to modes of analysis which seek critically to analyze the more general social scientific framework.

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