Social and Philosophical Aspects of a Scientific Controversy.
1 : Montclair State University
Norms in social and physical sciences, known as CUDOS, were formulated by the sociologist Robert Merton. An interesting scientific controversy about the so-called Cold Fusion (CF) might shed light on the evolution of these norms in physical sciences. What is the nature of that ongoing controversy? One group of recognized experts presented evidence that a chemical process in an electrolytic cell could initiate a nuclear reaction--fusion of two deuterium nuclei. Some physical scientists, backed by administrators, rejected the experimental CF claim mostly "on theoretical grounds." Such rejections are not consistent with the traditional norm--"theories guide but experiments decide." Another deviation form CUDOS norms--competition for scientific research grants--is also identified in the context of the still ongoing CF controversy. Why is that feud, started in 1989, unresolved? Because scientists, and those who support research, are not idealists, and what they do is not always consistent with traditionally accepted norms of scientific methodology of validation and rejection.
