Problems in Historical Epistemology

It was only after I had finished this volume that I came across the book by Barry Bames, Scientific Knowledge and Sociologi- cal Theory (Routledge and Kegan Paul). I am in full ag,reement with certain ideas expounded in that book, although it also contains others that I must object to. I have decided to make some remarks about them at the beginning of my book, as I believe that they may prove useful by way of int,roduction to the English version of this volume. I hope that anyone who has professional reasons to turn his attention to this volume will have acquainted himself with Scientific Knowledge and Socio- logical Theory before he proceeds any further. I fully share Barnes' view that it is possible and desirable to undertake descrtptive-sociological investigations of scientific research. The main subjeot of this research should be the na- tural science, and ,moreover, such findings in these sciences whose cognitive value has never been questioned by profession- als. These investigations must avoid becoming entangled in epistemologtical controversies, and through epi:stemo}. ogy in ,phi- losophical controversies. They must not defend any of the contended theses and must not Hrterally ,rely on evaluative pre- mises that have been questicmed.