Sociology Plus
Strong Programme Definition
The Strong Programme was an innovative and provocative approach developed in the 1970s by the Edinburgh-based philosopher and sociologist of science, David Bloor, concerning the sociological study of science. It posits that all human beliefs, regardless of whether they are considered true or false, require explanation. Central to this programme are the principles of impartiality and symmetry, which demand that explanations for these beliefs must be formulated using consistent cognitive resources drawn from various disciplines such as psychology, biology, sociology, and anthropology.
Origins and Proponent
The Strong Programme was devised by David Bloor during the 1970s. As a philosopher and sociologist of science, Bloor sought to introduce a sociological dimension into the understanding of scientific knowledge and belief systems.
Core Commitments
The foundational commitments of the programme are the principles of ‘impartiality’ and ‘symmetry’. These principles mandate that explanations for any set of beliefs must be conducted without bias (impartiality) and symmetrically across different types of beliefs, ensuring consistency in the cognitive resources employed during the explanation process.
Significance
Bloor argued that this framework provided a necessary sociological component to understanding all forms of knowledge, including mathematical and scientific ideas. His work significantly spurred subsequent research into the social construction of reality by emphasising the interconnectedness between individual belief systems and broader social structures.