Ludwig Fleck

Ludwig Fleck was a philosopher and historian of science who believed that scientific ideas are shaped by the social and cultural contexts in which scientists operate. He argued that knowledge isn’t just a discovery of eternal truths but is influenced by the collective thinking and language of scientific communities. Fleck introduced the idea of a "thought style" — the way groups of scientists think and communicate— which influences what they see as valid. His work highlights that scientific knowledge evolves through social interactions and shared perspectives, emphasizing the interconnectedness of science, language, and society.