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Cultural Science

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Handbook of Science and Technology Convergence

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Abstract

Convergence of science with society will require convergence of the social sciences, because despite efforts over the years to unite them, the social sciences remain fragmented today as they were a century ago. The most notable past attempt was “social relations” centered at Harvard University, the combination of sociology, anthropology, and social aspects of psychology, but it failed rather decisively. Today, new research methods employing computer science and information technology offer the potential for a successful unification, building on prior quantitative methodologies such as public opinion research in political science and sociology. Culture may not be the only concept suitable for facilitating the convergence of the social sciences, but it is an especially powerful one in the light of Internet, and could provide the impetus for a more general partnership across the social sciences.

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Acknowledgments

This manuscript was written in conjunction with the NSF/World Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC) international study on Convergence of Knowledge, Technology, and Society. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF) or the US National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET), which is the principal organizing body for the National Nanotechnology Initiative.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cyber-Human Systems Program, Division of Information and Intelligent Systems, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 22230, Arlington, VA, USA

    William Sims Bainbridge

Authors
  1. William Sims Bainbridge
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Correspondence to William Sims Bainbridge .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cybr-HumnSysPrg,DivofInfrmtn&Intlgntsyst, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia, USA

    William Sims Bainbridge

  2. NatlSciFondtn&NatlNanotechnlgyInitiative, Arlington, Virginia, USA

    Mihail C. Roco

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Bainbridge, W.S. (2016). Cultural Science. In: Bainbridge, W., Roco, M. (eds) Handbook of Science and Technology Convergence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07052-0_49

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