A picture of virtue: Review of Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison, Objectivity

Henning, Michelle

Abstract

This is a 2,500 word book review of Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison’s co-written book, Objectivity, Zone Books, New York, 2007. I emphasise how they explain objectivity as a virtue, and use descriptions of scientific practices. I explain their distinctions between different kinds of objectivity, and their account of its philosophical origins. I argue that they could pay more attention to the social context of the emergence of these concepts, and introduce Otto Neurath’s work to challenge their explanation of “structural objectivity”. I say their concept of attention is subtle, and praise the book for its dialogic and suggestive style.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Journal: New Formations
• Print ISSN: 0950-2387
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 64
• Issue: Winter
• Keywords: objectivity, history of science, visual culture, Otto Neurath
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1019041
• Publisher URL: http://www.lwbooks.co.uk/journals/newformations/contents.html