The logic of domains

TitleThe logic of domains
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsRibes, David, Andrew S. Hoffman, Steven C. Slota, and Geoffrey C. Bowker
JournalSocial Studies of Science
Volume49
Issue3
Pagination281-309
ISSN0306-3127
AbstractThe logic of domains has become a key organizing principle for contemporary computing projects and in broader science policy. The logic parses collectives of expertise into ‘domains’ that are to be studied or engaged in order to inform computational advancements and/or interventions on the domains themselves. The concept of a domain is set against a proposition that there is a more general, domain independent or agnostic technique that can serve to intermediate the domains. This article contrasts instances of this discourse, organizing and techne, drawing from cases in artificial intelligence, software engineering, and science policy to illustrate three ongoing figurations of the logic as i) experimental research, ii) formalization in method and software tools, and iii) a de facto organizing principle for science policy and technology development.
URLhttps://doi.org/10.1177/0306312719849709
DOI10.1177/0306312719849709
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