The sociology of knowledge is generally seen as part of the sociology of cultural products

In the past half century, the social role of knowledge has changed profoundly. The natural attitude toward scientific knowledge in science that assigned a special status to sciences knowledge claims has lost its dominance, and the view that all knowledge is socially constructed has gained general acceptance. Science increasingly influences the political agenda in modern societies. Consequently, a new political field has emerged: knowledge politics. The fourteen essays by social scientists, philosophers, and historians cover fundamental issues, theoretical perspectives, knowledge and power, and empirical studies within this revised volume include six new contributions by Robert K. Merton, Steve Fuller, Dick Pels, Nico Stehr, Barry Schwart, and Michael Lynch.