과학적 휴머니즘에서 비판적 과학학까지: 송상용 선생의 지적 여정

초록

This paper traces the intellectual journey of Song Sang-yong (1937-2024), who played a pivotal role in institutionalizing history of science and science studies in South Korea. Initially, Song was attracted to the history of science as providing an epistemic foundation for “scientific humanism.” His perspective underwent significant transformation during graduate studies in the United States, as exposure to historiographical debates and the 1968 movement led him to interrogate the traditional view of science and technology. Upon returning to Korea, Song became an ardent advocate for interdisciplinary science studies that approaches science through integrated historical, philosophical, social, and political perspectives. His advocacy of science studies was deeply connected to the critiques of scientism, technological messianism, and ecological crises, as well as emphasis on social responsibility in science. Song firmly believed that science studies should serve as a critical and transformative force to help construct a true “science for humanity.” His activities in bioethics and the ethical implications of science in the 1990s can be better understood through such vision of critical science studies. By examining these dimensions of Song’s intellectual journey, the paper demonstrates how the critical perspectives he developed offer important insights for the science studies community in contemporary Korea.

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