The Social Turn in the Philosophy of Science and Its Consequences

The paper sheds light on the social turn, i.e. a turn to the social dimensions of scientific knowledge, as observed in current philosophy of science. This turn is discussed in the context of the main debates about science in the 20th century philosophy. After the domain, in which the turn is taking place, is identified, the author proceeds to the indication of its sources as well as the main epistemological issues influenced by it. Several ideas brought to the forefront by the social turn are highlighted, too.