Date: June 20, 2008 (Fri.) 14:00-17:00PM
Venue: Room101, the 1st floor of Institute for Research in Humanities
Presentation:
1. Shuhei Kimura (G-COE Assistant Professor)
Title: An Introduction to Networks of People, Things and Technologies
2. Akira Adachi (Professor, ASAFAS)
Title: Varieties of knowledge in activity
This seminar introduced current debate on social studies of science and technology such as Actor-Network Theory and generated an active discussion among natural and social scientists.
Based on previous STS research and network theory, Mr. Kimura Shuhei observed the possibility of sustainable Humanosphere, taking a look at the situation of today’s scientific technology and comparing it with zairai-chi (indigenous, local knowledge) of local communities. He introduced the dynamic perspective of “flexible steadiness”, not stabilization, of communication among persons, things and nature. Dr. Adachi Akira, on the other hand, linked together arguments from actor networks with ecological psychology and activity theory, and presented an examination of how this may relate to concrete actions and problem-solving.
A question was raised by Dr. Fujita about whether there was any significance or utility whatsoever to opening the “black box” of technology.In response, both presenters affirmed that opening the black boxes and focusing on social aspects of technology have important implications in contexts where technologies are applied within society.
In the question and answer session, a question was raised by Dr. Sato about the presenters’ way to deal with science and technology without paying attention to the differences among them. Dr. Shinohara Naoki, who is involved in research of Solar Powered Satellites (SPS), suggested that the reason that SPS have not been implemented is that technologies had become “stabilized” within existing knowledge and discourse, and hinted at the possibility that this “stabilization” itself might be obstructing technological innovation. Making reference to the way zairai-chi should lead to fluctuating but steady communication among agencies, Kimura explained that steadiness should be seen as something different from stabilization.
In addition, responding to a comment that network theory is ambiguous about the issues concerning power and authority, Dr. Adachi suggested the possibility of theoretical evolution, based on the fact that the theory presented here is not constrained by the existing power structure. And a participant pointed out that there is a need to put into question the idea itself that technology and knowledge are “good for everyone,” emphasizing the importance to reexamine the issue of Value.” In this context, it is important to return to the fundamental question of unit of humanosphere repeatedly.
The seminar was a meaningful occasion to discuss technoscience beyond the boundary between humanities and science. More than a few people, however, found it difficult to understand certain topics in discussions of the range and effectiveness of social studies of science and technology. It would seem, therefore, that there is a need to spend more time in the future in order to adequately discuss these topics.
(Makoto Kasezawa)