What is science? How is scientific knowledge affected by the society that produces it? Does scientific knowledge directly correspond to reality? Can we draw a line between science and pseudo-science? Will it ever be possible for computers to undertake scientific investigation independently? Is there such a thing as feminist science? In this book the author addresses questions such as these using a technique of 'cognitive play', which creates and explores new links between the ideas and results of contemporary history, philosophy, and sociology of science. New ideas and approaches are applied to a wide range of case studies, many of them from controversial and contested science. This book will be of interest to historians and sociologists of science, to anyone interested in science studies, and to educated general readers with an interest in the history, philosophy, and social context of science.

‘I would need at least ten times this space even to mention the numerous ... questions that this admirable book gently provokes. Reading it would be a wonderful cure for anyone suffering from the complacent delusion that they knew all the answers.’

John Ziman Source: Endeavour

‘… would provide the foundation for an extremely rewarding course.’

Source: New Scientist

‘In an easy-paced way, with appeal to genuine examples from the sciences, Dolby takes us through facts, frameworks, rationality, knowledge, pathological science, feminism and artificial intelligence to his evolutionary conclusions … his book will be more accessible to scientists than many philosophical texts are.’

David Knight Source: Chemistry and Industry

‘… this is a very attractive and potentially useful tool for the analysis of modern science development.’

Nicholas P. Edwards Source: Ambix

‘What distinguishes this book is the richness of its multilevel description of science and the erudition with which Dolby illustrates the account given with a broad range of historical examples of science and pseudoscience … the author’s account of the changing aspect of science and its entanglement with broad socio-historical developments is highly illuminating. This makes the book a very worthwhile read.’

Finn Collin Source: Centaurus