Rethinking the "strong programme" in the sociology of knowledge

It is widely believed that the "strong programme" in the sociology of knowledge comes into serious conflict with mainstream epistemology. I argue that the programme has two aspects-one modest, and the other less so. The programme's modest aspect-best represented by the "symmetry thesis"-does not contain anything to threaten much of the epistemological mainstream, but does come into conflict with a certain kind of epistemological "externalism". The immodest aspect, however-in the form of "finitism"-pushes the programme towards a radical form of relativism about truth. Accepting these points will allow us to put an end to much unnecessary debate surrounding the strong programme, and allow a more fruitful discussion to begin. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.