World Made of Knowledge, A: Pathways Into the Knowledge Society

More than three decades after Gernot Böhme and Nico Stehr began to explore modern 'knowledge societies', the concept has transformed sociological inquiry into the dynamics of contemporary society. But even a quick internet search shows that the term is not only limited to academic circles. Moreover, international bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) underline the importance of transformative processes toward knowledge societies for global tertiary education and promote 'inclusive knowledge societies for sustainable development'. This book brings together Nico Stehr's key writings on the knowledge society and serves as an authoritative resource for students, scholars, and professionals. Previously published articles and chapters have been carefully selected to take the reader from the formulation and refinement of the concept to scholarly contributions that test its applicability and explanatory power in empirical case studies. In addition, the volume includes new and original material by Nico Stehr that will help the next generation of scholars explore novel and pressing issues such as the role of digital technologies and AI in modern knowledge societies and future inequalities in knowledge capitalism. Contents: Hic Sunt Dracones: Introduction by Alexander Ruser Pathfinders: Early Writings on Knowledge and Society: The Growing Impact of Scientific Knowledge on Social Relations (Gernot Böhme and Nico Stehr) The Power of Scientific Knowledge — and Its Limits (Nico Stehr) Local Guides: Facets of the Theory of Knowledge Societies: Social Inequality and Knowledge (Nico Stehr) The University in Knowledge Societies (Nico Stehr) Knowledge Politics: The Paradox of Regulating Knowledge Dynamics (Nico Stehr) Knowing and Not-Knowing (Nico Stehr) Analysts: Current Challenges and Knowledge Societies: Knowledge, Markets and Biotechnology (Nico Stehr) Societal Transformations, Globalisation and the Knowledge Society (Nico Stehr) Knowledge, Democracy and Power (Nico Stehr) The Atmosphere of Democracy: Knowledge and Political Action (Nico Stehr) Terra Incognita and the Future of the Knowledge Society: Social Scientific Knowledge about Knowledge (and Information): Conclusion by Nico Stehr Index Readership: The book will be a valuable resource for young researchers, including graduate and postgraduate students in the social sciences and humanities. It can also be used in disciplinary and interdisciplinary master's and doctoral programs, and is therefore aimed at interested university and college teachers and lecturers.