Scientific Knowledge and the Transgression of Boundaries

The aim of this book is to understand and critically appraise science-based transgression dynamics in their whole complexity. It includes contributions from experts with different disciplinary backgrounds, such as philosophy, history and sociology. Thus, it is in itself an example of boundary transgression.Scientific disciplines and their objects have tended to be seen as permanent and distinct. However, science is better conceived as an activity that constantly surpasses, erases and rebuilds all kinds of boundaries, either disciplinary, socio-ethical or ecological. This transgressive capacity, a characteristic trait of science and its applications, defines us as ＂knowledge societies.＂ However, scientific and technological developments are also sources of serious environmental and social concerns.

Bettina-Johanna Krings (MA in Sociology, Political Science and Anthropology; PhD in Sociology) is head of the research department ＂Knowledge Society and Knowledge Policy＂ at the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).Hannot Rodríguez (PhD in Philosophy) is Assistant Professor at the Department of Philosophy of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU.Anna Schleisiek (Dipl.-Soz.) is doing research on the role of economic principles in the scientific practice of research teams for her PhD project in sociology.