Knowledge and the world. Challenges beyond the science wars. (Q1889805)

This book is a collection of 14 technical essays by 15 authors with commentary on about one-third of the papers by several people. Its main concern is discussions on (1) whether what science tells us about the universe is determined unambiguously by experimental data/facts or (2) whether scientific theory and its related experimental procedures are in some far-reaching sense dependent upon human strengths and weaknesses. If case (1) holds then scientific realism prevails, but if case (2) holds then scientific relativism prevails. A novel feature of this volume is the inclusion of significant cultural studies and biological studies. Overall, the book is a useful source of ideas in the need of formalization. But be warned that the physicist Alan Sokal (well-known for ``Sokal's Hoax'') is an author and provider of commentary as well.