Editing The Sociology of Science (section)

== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
The sociology of science is understood through '''Incentives''' and '''Prestige'''.

'''1. The "CUDOS" Ideals (Merton)''':
What "Should" a scientist be like?
* They should be a "Neutral Truth-Seeker."
* They shouldn't care about "Money."
* They should "Share everything."
* These "Norms" are the "Religious Commandments" of science. Even if scientists "Break them" (and they do), the **Norms** are what "Keep the system honest."

'''2. The "Battle for Capital" (Bourdieu)''':
Science is a "Competitive Sport."
* Every "Paper" is a "Bet" on your "Reputation."
* If you "Win" a Nobel Prize, you have "Infinite Capital." People will "Believe your next theory" even if it's "Weak."
* This "Scientific Field" is a "Power Game" where the "Old Guard" tries to "Keep the New Kids out" to protect their "Capital."

'''3. The "Social" Truth (The Strong Program)''':
Is a fact "True" because "Nature said so," or because "The Scientists agreed"?
* The "Strong Program" argues that "Nature" is "Quiet."
* Scientists "Interpret" nature. Their "Interpretations" are influenced by their "Country," their "Religion," and their "Funding."
* This doesn't mean "Science is Fake"—it means "Science is Human."

'''The 'Matthew Effect' (1968)'''': Robert Merton noticed that when two people write a paper together, the "Famous one" gets all the "Recognition" from the public, even if the "Younger one" did 90% of the work. This "Inequality" in science means that "Success breeds Success," making it very "Hard" for outsiders to "Break in."
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