The Contested Sciences

Between Idealization and Contempt

By: Frieder Vogelmann

Write A Review

Hardcover | 1 October 2026

At a Glance

Format
Hardcover

Dimensions(cm)
22.86 x 15.24

Hardcover

RRP $190.00

$167.99

12%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $42.00 with

or

Ships in 3 to 5 business days

The defense against attacks on the sciences requires not an idealized image of "Science" but a realistic understanding of scientific practices to account for their epistemic authority.

Analysing the controversy about contemporary attacks on the sciences, Frieder Vogelmann shows that the defenders of scientific practices all too often erect an ideal that immunises them against criticism, obscures their diversity and ignores firmly established knowledge about them from philosophy and sociology of science. This exaggerated defence is grist for the mill of science deniers, because no actual scientific practice could ever correspond to it.

Instead, Vogelmann proposes a realistic understanding of scientific practices that brings into view their political contestations, historical developments and social embeddedness. Vogelmann demonstrates how such a realistic picture of scientific practices defends their epistemic authority with a political epistemology, centred on a conceptualisation of truth as a comparatively weak force emerging in social practices. The resulting materialist, non-sovereign epistemology of the sciences recognizes their value as well as their plurality, historicity and contextuality.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $0.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.