Sociological models of scientific knowledge

In contemporary advanced societies, the study of science and technology has acquired huge importance; this has been possible also thanks to the sociology of science. It is a hybrid specialty, because it derives from the sociology of knowledge and the social history of science, and yet is more and more conditioned by economics and politics. This critical review article examines the opposing sociological models of science which were developed in the 20th century, and relates them to the global processes of collectivization and steady state of science and technology. The diffusion of scientific communication is suggested as an important social goal.