{"product_id":"toward-a-history-of-epistemic-things-synthesizing-proteins-in-the-test-tube-paperback","title":"Toward a History of Epistemic Things: Synthesizing Proteins in the Test Tube - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eHans-Jörg Rheinberger\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this powerful work of conceptual and analytical originality, the author argues for the primacy of the material arrangements of the laboratory in the dynamics of modern molecular biology. In a post-Kuhnian move away from the hegemony of theory, he develops a new epistemology of experimentation in which research is treated as a process for producing epistemic things.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA central concern of the book is the basic question of how novelty is generated in the empirical sciences. In addressing this question, the author brings French poststructuralist thinking--notably Jacques Derrida's concepts of \"différance\" and \"historiality\"--to bear on the construction of epistemic things. Historiographical perspective shifts from the actors' minds to their objects of manipulation.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese epistemological and historical issues are illuminated in a detailed case study of a particular laboratory, that of the oncologist and biochemist Paul C. Zamecnik and his colleagues, located in a specific setting--the Collis P. Huntington Memorial Hospital of Harvard University at the Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston. The author traces how, between 1945 and 1965, this group developed an experimental system for synthesizing proteins in the test tube that put Zamecnik's research team at the forefront of those who led biochemistry into the era of molecular biology.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this powerful work of conceptual and analytical originality, the author argues for the primacy of the material arrangements of the laboratory in the dynamics of modern molecular biology. In a post-Kuhnian move away from the hegemony of theory, he develops a new epistemology of experimentation in which research is treated as a process for producing epistemic things.\u003cbr\u003eA central concern of the book is the basic question of how novelty is generated in the empirical sciences. In addressing this question, the author brings French poststructuralist thinking--notably Jacques Derrida's concepts of \"differance\" and \"historiality\"--to bear on the construction of epistemic things. Historiographical perspective shifts from the actors' minds to their objects of manipulation.\u003cbr\u003eThese epistemological and historical issues are illuminated in a detailed case study of a particular laboratory, that of the oncologist and biochemist Paul C. Zamecnik and his colleagues, located in a specific setting--the Collis P. Huntington Memorial Hospital of Harvard University at the Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston. The author traces how, between 1945 and 1965, this group developed an experimental system for synthesizing proteins in the test tube that put Zamecnik's research team at the forefront of those who led biochemistry into the era of molecular biology.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the most profound works in the history and philosophy of science in decades. One seldom encounters works of such depth and originality; its conceptual framework and analytical tools are truly pathbreaking. The literary style of the work is inspiring in its poetic qualities, and the blend of wit, playfulness, rigor, and succinctness makes for captivating reading.--Lily E. Kay, Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 340\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.78 x 9.02 x 6.03 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 01, 1997\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42131222560903,"sku":"9780804727860","price":44.1,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/0964021eddfba601a2708c331b267a02.webp?v=1732617320","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/toward-a-history-of-epistemic-things-synthesizing-proteins-in-the-test-tube-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}