The Scientific Ethos: A Clarification

Abstract

In a previous issue of this journal, Professor Rothmanl provides an excellent critique of contemporary science, in which he outlines the components of the scientific ethos and forcefully argues that these basic values are widely transgressed. I quite agree with his argument. However, his elaboration of one of the values comprising the scientific ethos is in error. Rothman, like many other sociologists of before him, misinterprets the notion of disinterestedness. I therefore should like to clarify the concept. The scientific ethos has been traditionally analysed as comprising the following values: universalism, communism (or communalism), disinterestedness, organized (or systematic) scepticism, and ethical neutrality. The first four were established by Robert Merton,2 the fifth was added by Bernard Barber.3 Rothman provides an excellent summary of these components in his article. Rothman, however, defines disinterestedness as a subjective or individual motive. He writes, '... the value of disinterestedness prohibits the scientist from making the search for professional recognition his explicit goal. It also prohibits active interest in doing research which would bring prestige or financial success in the lay community. The outcome of this value imperative is to limit the interest of scientists to research and discovery as an end, in and of itself.'4 Rothman then proceeds to argue, and rightly so, that contemporary scientists cannot be characterized as disinterested individuals. The definition of disinterestedness that Rothman employs is not peculiar, and has some heritage among sociologists of the area. Cotgrove, to whom Rothman responds, writes in the same vein: 'Disinterestedness encourages science for science's sake and condemns the search for personal profit.'5 The widespread acceptance of this definition is probably due to its use by two important students of (which provides a pertinent illustration for the sociology of knowledge). Norman Storer, in I966, wrote: 'This orientational norm, in its broadest interpretation, makes