A short overview of the factors leading to the disciplinary specialisation of the sciences is provided in this encyclopedia entry.
Read it through, and ask yourself what does it help to make sense of, and what does it omit?
To speak of a “scientific field” is commonplace. We will introduce the notion of a Domain of Discourse, and consider it with respect to the idea of a scientific field.
We will look into the origins of Chemistry and Biology as distinguished domains.
We will look at what the “Academy” is and what its relations have been to the society in which it is conducted.
How do we trace the entanglements of technology and science? What is the landscape of Ireland like now?
When did “scientist” emerge as a career? What kind of career is it now?
“Technoscience.” Discuss. Biochemistry observations.
What are the drivers of science? How do war and conflict feature?
What would a scientific cult look like?
Interdisciplinary Challenges 