> " Actor Network Theory
> suggests that an 'individual', like an 'organization' is a complex network
> of differing influences. Therefore, the existing theory which attempts to
> discern 'learning' is rather simplistic as well."
>
> Do you have some references on Actor Network Theory? What are the basic
> principles?
The basic idea of ANT and related works started out from the premise that
sociology privileged 'humans' over 'non-humans'. This sounds crazy, but
the essential thinking behind this is that reality is a constant struggle
by actors to configure other actors into particular networks i.e. to
construct particular realities. For example, one of the earlier works (by
Michel Callon) saw a French firm trying to show how electric powered
vehicles would be 'the only way' for personal transport in the future to
go, drawing upon a vast array of human and non-human actors.
The key thing is that ANT work emphasises the transitory nature of the
networking: even what constitutes a 'human being' as an entity is a
stabalisation (particularly noticeable when people are connected to life
support machines, etc. but also with the impact that I.T. has on 'human'
life).
Here are some references:
Callon, M. (1986) 'Some Elements of a Sociology of Translation:
Domestication of the Scallops and ;the Fishermen of St. Brieuc Bay', pp
196-233, in J. Law (ed.) Power, action and Belief: A New Sociology of
Knowledge?, Sociological Review Monograph 32, London: Routledge and Kegan
Paul.
Callon, M. (1986) 'The Sociology of an Actor-Network: The Case of the
Electric Vehicle', Ch. 2, pp. 19-34, in M. Callon, J. Law and A. Rip (eds)
Mapping the Dynamics of Science and Technology: Sociology of Science in
the Real World, London: Macmillan Press
Callon, M. Courtial and Turner, W. (1986) 'Future Developments', Ch. 12,
pp. 211-217, in M. Callon, J. Law and A. Rip (eds) Mapping the Dynamics of
Science and Technology: Sociology of Science in the Real World, London:
Macmillan Press
Callon, M. Law, J. and Rip, A. (1986a) 'How to Study the Force of
Science', Ch. 1, pp. 3-18, in M. Callon, J. Law and A. Rip (eds) Mapping
the Dynamics of Science and Technology: Sociology of Science in the Real
World, London: Macmillan Press.
Callon, M. Law, J. and Rip, A. (1986b) 'Putting Texts in Their Place', Ch.
13, pp. 211-221, in M. Callon, J. Law and A. Rip (eds) Mapping the
Dynamics of Science and Technology: Sociology of Science in the Real
World, London: Macmillan Press
Best wishes
Andrew
Andrew Rowe
AFM Dept
University of Essex
Colchester
Essex CO4 3SQ
E-Mail: adrowe@essex.ac.uk
Fax: (+44) 01206 873429
The more I see, the more I know,
the more I know the less I
understand
Paul Weller
--Andrew Rowe <adrowe@essex.ac.uk>
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