The new understanding of scientific knowledge

The so called standard view of scientific theories maintained that the theoretical side of science could, and should, be kept separated from its observational and experimental components and from the process of collection and organization of these components. This view went together with the linear model of the politics of science and technology. The standard view has gradually been superseded starting from the 1960’s by a more sophisticated understanding of scientific practice in which theories and observations are intertwined and empirical evidence is the product of a complex practical activity. Together with the standard view, the linear model of the relationship between science and technology has faded away leaving room for more sophisticated theories like the theory of the knowledge creation company. This theory has a common background and shows some similarities with the new ideas about scientific practice, as the concept of trading zone.