Richard Lewontin's "Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Richard Lewontin in his book "Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA" presents a view of science that challenges the popular conception of science as a methodical quest for objective knowledge, which exists outside of the political and social structures of human society. The author points out that the book, which is based on Lewontin's lectures for the 1990 Massey Lectures, focuses on Lewontin's area of scientific specialty biology with a particular emphasis on genetics. The paper relates that the book's component chapters each address and subvert popular myths of science that, for many people, render its practices and practitioners beyond the realm of social and political thought.

From the Paper:

"Richard Lewontin, in his book Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA, presents a view of science that challenges the popular conception of science as an methodical quest for objective knowledge that exists outside of the political and social structures of human society. This book, based on Lewontin's lectures for the 1990 Massey Lectures, focuses on Lewontin's area of scientific specialty: biology, with a particular emphasis on genetics. The book's component chapters each address, and subvert, popular myths of science that - for many people - render its practices and practitioners beyond the realm of social and political thought."

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