2 - Is There One Science, Western Science?
Corresponding Author(s) : Theophilus Okere
Africa Development,
Vol. 30 No. 3 (2005): Africa Development: Special Issue 'All knowledge is first of all local knowledge'
Abstract
All humans by nature desire to know and humans are distinguished from the rest of creation by the miracle of knowledge. If all cultures have developed their own forms of knowledge, the spectacular success of a certain form of knowledge, science, notably in the west, has frequently led to its being exclusively attributed to the west. Yet science remains only one of many forms of knowledge and the west only one of its producers. The success of the west has tended to marginalize other forms of knowledge and other contributions to knowledge and, thus to impoverish an otherwise potentially rich and complex world knowledge landscape. It has tended to inhibit or even prevent the development of a really universal, human-knowledge project. Its very success, due essentially to its sustained application to technology, has enabled the development of a false superiority over other forms of knowledge and a real power hegemony of the west over other peoples. The future of lasting peaceful co-existence in the world may depend, in part, on the emancipation of other knowledge modes and forms.
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- Anderson Warwick, 2002, 'Post-colonial Techno-science' in Social Studies of Science, 32/5-6, Oct. - Dec.
- Barth, Fredrik, 2002, 'AnAnthropology ofKnowledge' in Current Anthropology, Vol 43, No 1, Feb 2002.
- Devisch, Rene, 2001, 'Cultures, Sciences & Endogenous Knowledge Practices: Anthropological
- Perspectives' in: Science and Tradition: Roots and Wings for Development, Brussels: RoyalAcademy
- for Overseas Science & UNESCO: 29 - 53.
- Franklin Sarah, 1995: •Science as Culture and Cultures of Science', Annual Review of Anthropology,
- , 163-84.
- Habermas, Juergen, 1971, Knowledge and Human Jnterests, Hamburg: Boston Press.
- K.uhn, Thomas S., 1970, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Chicago:
- University of Chicago Press.
- Nader, Laura, ed., 1996, Naked Science, Anthropological Jnquiry into Boundaries of Power and
- Knowledge, New York, London: Routledge.
- Ravetz. J. R., 1970, The Merger of Knowledge and Power: Essays in Critical Science, London & New
- York: Mansell Publishing Ltd.
- Standen, Anthony, 1950, Science is a Sacred Cow, New York: E.P. Dutton & Co. Inc. von Weizsaecker,
- C. F., 1969, Kritik der Wissenschaften, Tonbandnachschrift.
References
Anderson Warwick, 2002, 'Post-colonial Techno-science' in Social Studies of Science, 32/5-6, Oct. - Dec.
Barth, Fredrik, 2002, 'AnAnthropology ofKnowledge' in Current Anthropology, Vol 43, No 1, Feb 2002.
Devisch, Rene, 2001, 'Cultures, Sciences & Endogenous Knowledge Practices: Anthropological
Perspectives' in: Science and Tradition: Roots and Wings for Development, Brussels: RoyalAcademy
for Overseas Science & UNESCO: 29 - 53.
Franklin Sarah, 1995: •Science as Culture and Cultures of Science', Annual Review of Anthropology,
, 163-84.
Habermas, Juergen, 1971, Knowledge and Human Jnterests, Hamburg: Boston Press.
K.uhn, Thomas S., 1970, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Chicago:
University of Chicago Press.
Nader, Laura, ed., 1996, Naked Science, Anthropological Jnquiry into Boundaries of Power and
Knowledge, New York, London: Routledge.
Ravetz. J. R., 1970, The Merger of Knowledge and Power: Essays in Critical Science, London & New
York: Mansell Publishing Ltd.
Standen, Anthony, 1950, Science is a Sacred Cow, New York: E.P. Dutton & Co. Inc. von Weizsaecker,
C. F., 1969, Kritik der Wissenschaften, Tonbandnachschrift.