Lorraine Daston

Lorraine Daston is a prominent American historian of science and Director Emerita at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin. Her research focuses on the history of scientific observation, objectivity, and rationality from the Middle Ages to the present. Throughout her career, Daston has examined how scientific practices, values, and ways of knowing have evolved over time. Her influential works include "Classical Probability in the Enlightenment" (1988), "Objectivity" (with Peter Galison, 2007), and "Against Nature" (2019), which explore the intersections between scientific knowledge, cultural values, and moral philosophy. Daston's scholarship has significantly shaped contemporary understanding of how scientific practices and epistemological concepts develop within specific historical contexts. Her work on the history of objectivity has been particularly influential, demonstrating how this seemingly timeless scientific ideal emerged from specific historical circumstances in the mid-nineteenth century. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the Sarton Medal from the History of Science Society and membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Daston continues to contribute to academic discourse through her research on the relationship between scientific practice and moral norms.

Readers appreciate Daston's ability to unpack complex historical and philosophical concepts about science. Her book "Objectivity" (co-authored with Peter Galison) receives particular attention from academics and graduate students for its detailed examination of scientific observation practices. Readers highlight: - Clear explanations of how scientific ideals evolved - Rich historical examples and illustrations - Thorough research and documentation - Accessibility despite academic subject matter Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style can be challenging for non-specialists - Some readers find the pace slow and repetitive - High price point of academic publications On Goodreads: - "Objectivity" averages 4.2/5 stars from 481 ratings - "Against Nature" averages 4.0/5 stars from 92 ratings One professor noted: "Daston excels at showing how concepts we take for granted emerged from specific historical moments." A graduate student reviewer wrote: "Essential but exhausting reading - took me months to work through." Amazon reviews reflect similar patterns, with academic readers rating her works higher than general readers.

Against Nature (2019) An examination of how "nature" has been used as a moral authority throughout history, exploring its various meanings and moral implications across different time periods and cultures.

Science in the Archives: Pasts, Presents, Futures (2017) Analysis of how scientific archives shape knowledge creation and preservation, covering topics from medieval astronomy to modern DNA databases.

Histories of Scientific Observation (2011) Chronicles the development of scientific observation as a distinct practice from the medieval period to modern times.

Objectivity (2007) Traces the emergence and evolution of scientific objectivity as a concept from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

Things That Talk: Object Lessons from Art and Science (2004) Explores how material objects serve as bridges between different disciplines and ways of knowing.

Classical Probability in the Enlightenment (1988) Investigates the historical development of probability theory during the Enlightenment era and its impact on scientific thinking.

Wonders and the Order of Nature (1998) Examines how wonder and marvels were understood and collected in European culture from 1150-1750.

The Moral Authority of Nature (2004) Analysis of how societies have used "nature" to justify moral and social orders throughout history.

Steven Shapin Studies the history and sociology of science, focusing on how scientific knowledge is constructed and validated through social practices. His work examines scientific culture in early modern Europe and contemporary laboratories.

Peter Galison Investigates the intersection of physics, philosophy, and material culture through detailed historical analysis. His research covers scientific objectivity, imaging technologies, and the development of modern physics.

Mary Poovey Examines how numbers, statistics, and financial instruments shape modern knowledge systems and social order. She traces the history of quantification and its effects on disciplines from economics to literature.

Bruno Latour Analyzes how scientific facts are produced through networks of human and non-human actors. His work follows scientists in their laboratories and traces the construction of scientific knowledge.

Ian Hacking Studies the historical emergence of probability, statistics, and scientific reasoning. His research explores how mathematical concepts and experimental practices have shaped our understanding of nature and human behavior.