Science and Ideology: The Institutional Model Revisited

• In Event: 20426 - Belief and Doubt in the History of Sociology

Abstract

This paper revisits Robert K. Merton’s institutional model of science to address a critical issue: the blurred distinction between science and ideology. While perspectivism—rooted in the idea that all beliefs are shaped by social contexts—has gained prominence, this paper argues that it further complicates our ability to distinguish scientific inquiry from ideology, both within sociology and in broader societal discourse. Rather than beginning with social positions, Merton’s institutional model stresses explicit verification criteria for evaluating beliefs, alongside professional obligations that guide the conduct of scientists (i.e., institutions). This paper extends Merton’s model by incorporating previously implied or overlooked institutions, such as the concept of holism, which posits that scientific knowledge functions as an interconnected web of beliefs, subject to both empirical verification and conceptual coherence. Ultimately, this theoretical analysis contributes to contemporary debates by offering a robust framework for distinguishing science from other belief systems, with important implications for institutional theory, public trust in science, and democratic governance.

Author

• Gordon Gauchat, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee