Ideology in science and technology: the case of civilian nuclear power

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5985354

Harrod, A N

This dissertation traces the complicated interrelationships between ideology and interest within the civilian nuclear power controversy. The first chapter introduces the topic. The second chapter provides a social-political-economic overview of the context in which the conflicting ideologies arose. Factors looked at are the ascendancy of the physical sciences, the development of nuclear energy, the disenchantment with science and technology and the consequent rise of an anti-nuclear ideology. Chapter III uses the theories of Alvin Gouldner to understand the structure of ideology. The chapter defines ideology's similarities to and differences from scientific discourse. Chapter IV examines the ideological discourse of a selected sample of scientists who have spoken for and against civilian nuclear power. In parallel to chapter IV, chapter V examines a scientific controversy among the sample of experts. It shows how scientific disagreement can be produced and how ideology is most closely linked to science. Chapter VI examines the social interests of the scientists and experts to discover ways that interests have shaped the ideological and scientific positions for and against civilian nuclear energy. Based on the foregoing, chapter VII concludes that the introduction of science and experts into a controversy cannot be expected to end disagreement over policy because of the link between science and ideology.

• Research Organization: Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5985354
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210800* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ETHICAL ASPECTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NUCLEAR POWER
PERSONNEL
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POWER
PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
TECHNOLOGY IMPACTS