Putting a spin on circulating reference, or how to rediscover the scientific subject

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Science
• Sociology of Scientific Knowledge
• History of Science

Background:

• Bruno Latour critiqued the Kantian model of knowledge, proposing a "circulating reference" model based on scientific practice.
• Latour's model, however, omitted the role of the scientific subject.
• Ludwik Fleck previously described a post-Kantian scientific subject rooted in scientific practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To repair Latour's model by re-integrating the scientific subject.
• To reconcile Latour's emphasis on scientific practice with Fleck's concept of scientific subjectivity.
• To offer a revised understanding of knowledge construction in science.

Main Methods:

• A critical analysis of Bruno Latour's "circulating reference" model.
• A mechanical procedure involving a diagrammatic revision of Latour's representation.
• Integration of Ludwik Fleck's concept of the scientific subject.

Main Results:

• A new space for a post-Kantian scientific subject is identified within a revised model.
• The proposed model re-unites scientific subjectivities with scientific practices.
• Latour's model is shown to be incomplete by neglecting the subject.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully re-introduces the scientific subject into Latour's framework.
• A synthesis of Latour's and Fleck's ideas offers a more comprehensive model of scientific knowledge.
• This revised model better accounts for the dynamic interplay between scientific practice and subjectivity.