Mertons̓ normative structure and the contemporary scientific enterprise

The normative structure of science was articulated by Robert K. Merton, the eminent sociologist of science, in 1942. In his classic article "Science and Technology in a Democratic Order," the author states that the four norms of science are comprised of universalism, communism, disinterestedness, and organized skepticism. A problem results, however, through Merton's ambiguous use of the term "norm" as both descriptive and prescriptive. The purpose of this work is to analyze the descriptive and prescriptive soundness of each of the four norms proposed by Merton in order to determine the validity of the author's claims. Merton advocates his normative structure on two grounds: the methodological and the moral. I argue that, with the exception of organized skepticism, the methodological grounds for the defense of his norms are insupportable. Morally, I argue that none of the norms are strongly defensible. These arguments are based on the fact that there is an inherent clash between the way in which contemporary science is actually practiced and the ideal that Merton advocates.