Ciência em Ação (Bruno Latour) - Capítulo 1 (A Literatura)

Summary

In this lecture, Bruno Latour explores the construction of scientific facts and the role of engineers and scientists in shaping knowledge. He discusses the concept of 'black boxes'—how scientific facts, once accepted, become unquestioned. Latour highlights the use of literature, citations, and references as strategies for reinforcing or challenging scientific claims. He also examines the importance of controlling reader interpretation through careful structuring of texts and figures. Ultimately, Latour emphasizes the collective nature of knowledge construction, arguing that facts are not simply discovered but are shaped by a network of interests and controversies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scientists and engineers create knowledge through collective processes that involve controversies and debates before facts become 'black boxes.'
• 😀 A 'black box' refers to scientific or technological facts that are accepted without question after passing through debates and controversies.
• 😀 Latour differentiates between positive and negative modalities in scientific sentences: positive modalities present facts as unquestionable, while negative ones reveal the conditions of their production.
• 😀 Citations in scientific articles serve to reinforce the author's thesis by associating their work with respected authorities and weakening opposing views.
• 😀 A well-cited article is harder to critique, as it becomes part of a larger, authoritative body of knowledge.
• 😀 Sentences in scientific texts, especially those without references or qualifications, can transform into 'black boxes' by presenting knowledge as indisputable.
• 😀 Figures in scientific articles are not just illustrations but carry significant meaning through captions and interpretations that shape the reader’s understanding of the data.
• 😀 Authors strategically anticipate objections from readers by structuring their articles in a way that guides interpretation and preempts criticisms, a process Latour calls 'captation.'
• 😀 Scientific writing controls the movement of the reader’s interpretation to avoid undesired conclusions, often through subtle framing of the content.
• 😀 The process of knowledge creation is not only textual but also situated in the material and social contexts of research, such as laboratories and other sites of knowledge production.
• 😀 The construction of scientific facts is a social and dynamic process, requiring collaboration and negotiation, and it involves both reinforcing existing knowledge and challenging competing ideas.

Q & A

What does Bruno Latour focus on in his analysis of science and engineering?

Latour focuses on the process of how scientific facts and engineering concepts are established, rather than on the final products like computers or DNA structures. He is interested in the steps leading to the creation of facts and how they transform into unquestioned 'black boxes'.

What is meant by 'black boxes' in Latour's work?

'Black boxes' refer to scientific facts or technologies that, once accepted, are no longer questioned. They become seen as established truths or fixed entities, obscuring the complex and often debated processes that led to their acceptance.

How does Latour distinguish between positive and negative sentences in scientific texts?

Latour differentiates between positive and negative sentences in scientific writing. Positive sentences present claims as indisputable, often hiding the conditions under which they were made. Negative sentences, on the other hand, emphasize the context and conditions of knowledge production, revealing the uncertainties behind the claims.

How do citations play a role in the construction of scientific knowledge according to Latour?

Citations are strategically used in scientific papers to strengthen an author's argument by aligning it with previous works. They can also weaken opposing viewpoints by discrediting other research. The use of references helps authors reinforce their claims and build legitimacy.

What is the significance of 'tactical humility' in scientific writing?

Tactical humility involves presenting claims with modest language when the author is uncertain about their strength. This approach makes the argument appear more reasonable and helps to avoid over-claiming, which can make the research more credible to readers.

What role do figures and visuals play in scientific papers?

Figures and visuals in scientific papers are not just illustrations; they are key to the argument itself. Their captions guide how the data should be interpreted and contribute to reinforcing the paper's claims. By controlling the visual presentation, authors can influence the reader's understanding of the research.

What is the concept of 'captation' in Latour's work?

Captation refers to the author's strategy of controlling the reader's interpretation of the text. By guiding the reader's attention and anticipating possible objections, the author ensures that the reader follows the intended direction and avoids alternative interpretations.

How does Latour explain the relationship between scientific controversies and the establishment of facts?

Latour argues that scientific facts emerge from controversies. Only after these debates are resolved does a fact become a 'black box' that is accepted without question. The process of establishing a scientific fact is collective and involves negotiation, disagreement, and eventual consensus.

How does Latour describe the process of knowledge becoming unquestionable?

Latour describes how a scientific fact or technology evolves from a debated and contested idea into an unquestionable 'black box'. This transformation occurs when the controversies surrounding it are resolved, and it is accepted as a given by the scientific community and society at large.

Why is it important for scientists to anticipate objections from readers in their writing?

Anticipating objections is crucial because it allows the scientist to address potential criticisms before they arise. By doing so, the author can strengthen their argument and prevent readers from questioning the validity of the research, ensuring that the knowledge is presented as robust and reliable.