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Scientists regularly employ historical narrative as a rhetorical tool in their communication of science, yet there's been little reflection on its effects within scientific communities and beyond. Science Between Myth and History begins to unravel these threads of influence. The stories scientists tell are not just poorly researched scholarly histories, they are myth-histories, a chimeric genre that bridges distinct narrative modes. This study goes beyond polarizing questions about who owns the history of science and establishes a common ground from which to better understand the messy and lasting legacy of the stories scientists tell. It aims to stimulate vigorous conversation among science practitioners, scholars, and communicators.
Scientific myth-histories undoubtedly deliver value, coherence, and inspiration to their communities. They are tools used to broker scientific consensus, resolve controversies, and navigate power dynamics. Yet beyond the explicit intent and rationale behind their use, these narratives tend to have great rhetorical power and social agency that bear unintended consequences. Science Between Myth and History unpacks the concept of myth-history and explores four case studies in which scientist storytellers use their narratives to teach, build consensus, and inform the broader public. From geo-politically informed quantum interpretation debates to high-stakes gene-editing patent disputes, these case studies illustrate the implications of storytelling in science.
Science Between Myth and History calls on scientists not to eschew writing about their history, but to take more account of the stories they tell and the image of science they project. In this time of eroding common ground, when many find themselves dependent on, yet distrustful of scientific research, this book interrogates the effects of mismatched, dissonant portraits of science.
Introduction: Reconstructing Scientific Pasts: Tensions and Explorations
1. Myth-Historical Tension: Origins of a Narrative Category
2. Myth-Historical Quantum Erasure: The Case of the Missing Pilot Wave
3. Myth-Historical CRISPR Edits: Modifying Futures by Controlling Pasts
4. Echoes of Gravitational Waves: (Re)Casting Heroes and Antiheroes
5. Demarcating Seismic Uncertainties: A Front in the 'War on Science'
Conclusion: Beyond the Science Wars
José G. Perillán received a joint doctorate in Physics and History from the University of Rochester in 2011. Currently, he is Assistant Professor at Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY), holding a joint appointment in the Physics and Astronomy Department and the Multidisciplinary Program on Science, Technology, and Society. The present book on Myth-History emerges from the author's experience teaching undergraduate courses in physics, history of science, and science, technology, & society. In preparing his varied courses, Perillan moves fluidly among frameworks and modalities. He has harnessed the adaptability and empathy necessary for this relentless pivoting to carve out a common ground from which to reflexively engage the scientific past.
"It is commonplace, among historians of science, that the histories written by scientists are often myths, with more or less hidden agendas. Yet there is surprisingly little serious literature on the origin, nature, purpose, and (undesired) effects of these myths. The present book fills this gap in a highly competent way. The author knows very well the relevant literature, his examples are well chosen, his analyses are well-informed, subtle, and well-balanced."
– Olivier Darrigol, CNRS, France
"This book should be of interest to historians of science, STS people and to a wider group of people including scientists and a general readership interested in pop science. I could see it being used in teaching introductory STS and history of science courses."
– Trevor Pinch, Cornell University
