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1976: Publication of "Knowledge and Social Imagery"
David Bloor, a British sociologist, published his influential work "Knowledge and Social Imagery" in 1976. This book marked the beginning of the strong programme in the sociology of scientific knowledge, which argues that scientific knowledge should be understood as a social construct. Bloor's work challenged the traditional view that scientific knowledge is solely based on objective facts and rationality. Bloor, David. Knowledge and Social Imagery. Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1976. -
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1981: Co-founding of the Edinburgh School
In 1981, Bloor co-founded the Edinburgh School with Barry Barnes, David Edge, and Steve Woolgar. This group of sociologists aimed to develop a new approach to the study of science, focusing on the social factors that influence the production and validation of scientific knowledge. "The Edinburgh School." The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, edited by George Ritzer, Blackwell Publishing, 2007. -
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1991: Publication of "Knowledge and Social Imagery" Second Edition
Bloor published a second edition of "Knowledge and Social Imagery" in 1991, which included a new preface and an additional chapter. In this edition, Bloor further developed his ideas about the social construction of scientific knowledge and responded to criticisms of his work. Bloor, David. Knowledge and Social Imagery. 2nd ed., University of Chicago Press, 1991. -
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1997: Publication of "Anti-Latour"
In 1997, Bloor published "Anti-Latour," a critique of the work of French sociologist Bruno Latour. Bloor argued that Latour's actor-network theory, which views both human and non-human actors as equally important in the production of scientific knowledge, fails to adequately account for the role of social factors in shaping scientific knowledge. Bloor, David. "Anti-Latour." Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, vol. 28, no. 1, 1997, pp. 133-166. -
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2002: Publication of "The Enigma of the Aerofoil: Aerofoils and the Bodies of Birds, Insects and Men"
In 2002, Bloor published "The Enigma of the Aerofoil: Aerofoils and the Bodies of Birds, Insects and Men," a study of the history of aeronautics. This work explored the social and cultural factors that influenced the development of aeronautics, demonstrating the relevance of the sociology of scientific knowledge to the history of technology. Bloor, David. The Enigma of the Aerofoil: Aerofoils and the Bodies of Birds, Insects and Men. University of Chicago Press, 2002. -
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2008: Publication of "The Sociology of Scientific Knowledge: A New Perspective"
In 2008, Bloor published "The Sociology of Scientific Knowledge: A New Perspective," a collection of essays that summarized and expanded upon his previous work. This book provided a comprehensive overview of the sociology of scientific knowledge, highlighting the importance of social factors in the production and validation of scientific knowledge. Bloor, David. The Sociology of Scientific Knowledge: A New Perspective. Aldershot, Ashgate, 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5niwyPoMw4 -
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2011: Publication of "The Enigma of the Aerofoil" Second Edition
Bloor published a second edition of "The Enigma of the Aerofoil" in 2011, which included a new preface and an additional chapter. In this edition, Bloor further developed his ideas about the social and cultural factors that influenced the development of aeronautics. Bloor, David. The Enigma of the Aerofoil: Aerofoils and the Bodies of Birds, Insects and Men. 2nd ed., University of Chicago Press, 2011. -
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2016: Publication of "The Sociology of Scientific Knowledge: A Reader"
In 2016, Bloor published "The Sociology of Scientific Knowledge: A Reader," a collection of essays that provided an overview of the sociology of scientific knowledge. This book included essays by Bloor and other leading scholars in the field, highlighting the key debates and controversies in the sociology of scientific knowledge. Bloor, David, editor. The Sociology of Scientific Knowledge: A Reader. Routledge, 2016.