Popular Science as a Means of Emotional Engagement with the Scientific Community

Year 2016, Volume 4 - Issue 1, 118 - 125, 26.03.2016

Olga A. Pılkıngton

Abstract

This article explores a debate (and its origins) which is taking place around the issue of science popularization. Although the participants are all describing popularization in various ways, the heart is in what makes a good popularization. The notion of this has changed from the 19th century view, which called for a simple and easy-to-understand text, to a more modern view, which suggests a good popularization engages the reader emotionally. This discussion might also be seen in a context of a more profound debate of science experts versus general public and what science and scientific knowledge mean to each group. The exploration of this relationship suggests a shift in the role lay public plays in science.

Keywords

Science popularization, reader engagement, emotional engagement, knowledge theory

Field : History of Science, Linguistics Type : Research Article

Abstract

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