A Historiography Study On Rhetoric Approaches In History Of Science

Rising in 1960s~1970s, rhetoric approach in history of science rereads scientific texts and reveals the rhetorical construction in scientific discourse which was ignored in the traditional studies from the unique perspective. It has been attracting more and more attention from scholars of history and philosophy of science since rhetoric approach was introduced into the study of history of science and then it kept on developing. And it is deemed to be a novel and outstanding approach now. This dissertation concludes the historiographical characteristics of the specific methods and the theoretical influence on the view of science from the angle of historiography study of rhetoric approach in history of science. It offers a model for the future study of history of science to understand the approach and refer to.Firstly, the evolution of the concept of rhetoric and the view of science in rhetoric and STS is studied separately from the historical dimension. In this way, the theoretical foundation of cross study of the two is built up. By comparison of rhetoric approach in history of science with other similar scientific text studies, the concept of rhetoric approach of history of science is clearly defined.Secondly, according to background of the scholars, scientific texts, the methods and the purports of study, the studies of history of science in rhetoric approach is divided into macroscopic study of scientific organizational system, middle level study of social element, and microcosmic study of rhetorical strategy. The particular differences among three kinds of models are explained in case studies. The classification and intensive study of rhetoric approach offer references for historiography of science on aspects of new historiography methods, research basis, theory resource, etc.Thirdly, the themes of and the influences on STS are systemized from the scattered theoretical conclusions in the cases of history of science in rhetoric approach. The dissertation mostly argues the current studies discusses the communicational, inventive and epistemological aspects of rhetoric in science, which indicates rhetoric spreads in the whole process of science and is inevitably the essential element of scientific discourse. Based on these points, the historical studies of science in rhetoric approach promote the cognitions of scientific discourse and science itself.Finally, the debates and problems about the rhetoric approach in history of science are analyzed, and further interpreted and responded. By that means, this approach is deeply reflected and more importantly, rhetoric approach in history of science is impelled to develop in concrete aspect.