Work: "The Pasteurization of France" (Bruno Latour)

"The Pasteurization of France" by Bruno Latour examines how Louis Pasteur’s scientific innovations transformed French society and government. Latour argues that Pasteur’s work on microbes and diseases did more than advance medicine; it reshaped national identity, public health policies, and industrial practices. This process, which Latour calls “pasteurization,” represents how scientific discoveries can influence societal structures and behaviors beyond laboratories. Essentially, Latour shows that science and society are interconnected—scientific truths become embedded in social institutions, shaping how a nation perceives health, progress, and modernity.