Science Quote by Bruno Latour
““The social sciences are obsessed by epistemological questioning in a way that no science, no real science is. You never have a chemistry class that starts with the methodology of chemistry; you start by doing chemistry. And the problem is that since the social sciences don’t know what it is to be scientific, because they know nothing about the real sciences, they imagine that they have to be listing endless numbers of criteria and precautions before doing anything. And they usually miss precisely what is interesting in natural sciences which is [LAUGHS] a laboratory situation and the experimental protocol!””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing philosophy of science, 2000s, France
Latour criticizes social sciences for overemphasizing methodology, arguing they should focus on empirical work like natural sciences.
In simple terms: Latour says social sciences overthink methods instead of doing experiments.
Key Takeaway
Encourage practical research over endless theoretical debate.
Themes
methodology
science
critique
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy analysis
- interdisciplinary projects
- educational reform
Key Concepts
epistemology
experimental design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can social sciences balance theory and practice?
- What benefits arise from adopting experimental approaches?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on methodology can hinder discovery and relevance.
