Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Friday, February 11, 2005

Truth, justice, and all that other stuff they teach us in school

Posted by Mickey Z on 02/11 at 07:46 PM

  1. Some thoughts on facts, amongst other important issues:

    http://www.ensmp.fr/~latour/articles/article/089.html

    Latour and Woolgar present an interesting discussion of the origins of the word “fact” in
    their book “Laboratory Life: The Construction of Scientific Facts”. 
    “A fact is derived from the root facere, factum (to make or to do).  On the other hand, fact is taken to refer to some objectively independent entity which, by reason of its “out there-ness” cannot be modified at will and is not susceptible to change under any circumstances.  (174-5). 

    An interesting conflict within the word itself.

    A sample of their position:
    We do not wish to say that facts do not exist nor that there is no such thing as reality.  In this simple sense our position is not relativist.  Our point is that “out-there-ness” is the consequence of scientific work rather than its cause.  (Latour and Woolgar, 1986:180)

    Posted by Mike  on  from dublin 02/13  at  10:21 AM

  2. So, if I apply for that “fact writer” job at Fox, do you think I should mention any of this in my cover letter?

    Posted by Mickey Z.  on  from 02/13  at  10:40 AM

  3. Well, I’d imagine the “French Connection” might push your name further down the pile. 

    Sections of Latour’s recent essay are more interesting in light of the Churchill situation in the U.S. 

    The argument I mention here is, in my mind, very relevant for political movements.  There are those who claim these guys are situated amongst other “intellectual impostures”. 
    Also, some people claim these guys fall right into the overall project of Fox News.  When a Republican is asked about global warming, that Republican can (and has) dismissed global warning as nothing more than a social construction. 

    I personally believe many of Latour’s claims are useful for progressive political movements, so long as they are not subjected to “soundbite analysis”.  With Fox News, and others like it, I wouldn’t expect anything different, so it’s a tricky situation,to say the least.

    Posted by Mike  on  from dublin 02/13  at  01:18 PM

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