Should We All be Scientists? Re-thinking Laboratory Research as a Calling

Area of Science:

• Science and Technology Studies (STS)
• Sociology of Science
• Philosophy of Science

Background:

• Contemporary Science and Technology Studies (STS) challenges traditional notions of scientific expertise.
• Ethnographic data reveals scientists' self-perceptions of innate qualities distinguishing 'good' from 'bad' scientists, beyond mere training or access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of 'calling' from theological discourse to understand the intuitive and personal aspects of scientific practice.
• To analyze the 'fittingness' of individuals to scientific occupations, moving beyond purely technical or access-based criteria.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of scientific community narratives regarding intuitive skills ('good hands,' 'gut feelings').
• Application of theological discourse on 'callings' to scientific occupations.
• Interdisciplinary review integrating STS, ethics, and science policy with theological concepts.

Main Results:

• Scientific practice involves an intuitive 'feeling' for the discipline and personal satisfaction, not solely reducible to training or resources.
• The concept of a 'calling' offers a framework to understand the identification of individual talents and dispositions crucial for scientific work.
• Framing science as a calling emphasizes the alignment of personal talents with the needs of the scientific community.

Conclusions:

• A 'calling' framework provides a novel perspective on scientific research, centering individual aptitudes and their community integration.
• Understanding science as a calling can foster more fulfilling and effective scientific practices by acknowledging personal fit and satisfaction.
• This approach highlights the importance of individual dispositions and their relationship to the broader scientific community for flourishing research.