Balance Quote by Immanuel Wallerstein
“The basic question that the 'new science' raises for our balance sheet is the issue of what scientific questions have not been asked for 500 years, which scientific risks have not been pursued. It raises the question of who has decided what scientific risks were worth taking, and what have been the consequences in terms of the power structures of the world.”
About This Quote
Source Book: World-Systems Analysis, 1974
The quote challenges us to consider which scientific questions have been ignored for centuries and who decides which risks are worth taking, highlighting power dynamics in knowledge production.
In simple terms: We often overlook old scientific questions and let power decide which risks to pursue.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about ignored research and who controls scientific agendas.
Themes
science
power
history
risk
knowledge
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research funding
- policy making
- corporate R&D
- public health initiatives
- environmental studies
Key Concepts
epistemology
sociology
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- Who decides which scientific risks are worth taking?
- How can marginalized perspectives influence research priorities?
A Different Perspective
Power structures may bias which questions are funded, limiting innovation.
