DEBATE BETWEEN SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM / SCIENTIFIC REALISM: KNORR CETINA AND PHILIP KITCHER

Abstract

One of the most important challenges of scientific realism comes from the social studies of science and sociology, mainly from social constructivism. In this work will do a counterpoint between Karin Knorr Cetina —sociologist— and Philip Kitcher —realistic philosopher- with the intention to show a realistic response to the challenges posed by the social constructivism but it incorporates some of its elements. In his response, Kitcher ventures into what for many philosophers of science is sociology, as it is a realism that includes external factors emphasizing the importance of the subjects and authority relations established in the scientific communities, furthermore, the author explicitly favors a normative philosophy of science, abandoning the position of the received view of value-neutrality of science and philosophy of science. The authors ‘choice is given mainly by their importance in the debate and because Knorr Cetina can be considered as a forerunner of what Echeverría called "praxiological turn" in philosophy of science, whereas Philip Kitcher is considered a representative of it.
Thus, the work consists of two parts, the first will develop the thought of Knorr Cetina and the second will discuss the response of Kitcher trying to make an assessment of it.