Sociologist of science Steve Woolgar claimed that scientific discoveries are 'constituted' by laboratory practices rather than simply discovered in nature. A microbe isn't found but is made visible through staining, culturing, and imaging techniques. Critics accuse this view of relativism—surely microbes existed before we could see them? Woolgar clarifies that he isn't denying reality but analyzing how scientific facts are produced through material and social processes.
It can be inferred from the text that
all sociologists of science deny objective reality exists
Woolgar believes microbes didn't exist before laboratory techniques were invented
material practices play no role in scientific discovery
analyzing how knowledge is produced need not deny that knowledge represents something real
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. Woolgar's clarification shows analysis of production doesn't equal denial of reality.
- Context clues: Woolgar "isn't denying reality but analyzing how scientific facts are produced."
- Meaning: Studying how knowledge is made is compatible with believing it refers to real things.
- Verify: The distinction between denying reality and analyzing production resolves the relativism concern.
💡 Strategy: Pay attention to clarifications that resolve apparent contradictions.
Choice A is incorrect because Woolgar explicitly says he "isn't denying reality." Choice B is incorrect because he's analyzing production, not denying pre-existence. Choice C is incorrect because facts are "produced through material and social processes."