Merton's "The Sociology of Science"

Merton's "The Sociology of Science" examines how scientific communities operate, highlighting the social norms and structures that influence scientific practice. He identifies key norms—such as communalism (sharing knowledge), universalism (evaluating ideas objectively), disinterestedness (research for the common good), and organized skepticism (questioning claims). These norms foster trust and collaboration, enabling science to progress reliably. Merton also explores how social factors, like reputation and funding, impact scientific work, emphasizing that science is a social enterprise shaped by collective behaviors and institutional rules rather than just individual discoverers.