The rhetorical strategy of boundary-work

Abstract

An extended version of Gieryn's notion of 'boundary-work', supplemented with insights of Thomas Goodnight, is used to represent the central role of rhetoric in disputes on the boundary of science and the public. From a study of the Tarasoff-case it is shown that the rhetorical process of turning obstacles into resources works to move the boundary between a science and the law. It is concluded that rhetorical scholars can and must play a part in the resolution of boundary disputes and that concrete case-studies of boundary-work may deepen criticism of argument.

Of audience, expertise and authority: The evolving creationism debate

“…Among the general public, that increase is even more compelling: from 24% to 42% (Miller, Prewitt, and Pearson, 1980;Yankelovich, 1982). This ambivalence frames and makes problematic the rhetorical processes of demarcation wherein the community of "science" is socially constructed for its own members as well as for consumers of its knowledge products (Gieryn, 1983;Holmquest, 1990).…”

“…This is no way warrants the creationist doctrine. It does, however, make problematic certain traditional assumptions regarding the distinctions between science and pseudo-science (Fuller, 1988;Gieryn, 1983;Gieryn, Bevins, and Zehr, 1985;Holmquest, 1990;Laudan, 1988aLaudan, , 1988b.…”

Key Metaphors in the Sociology of Professions: Occupations as Hierarchies and Landscapes

“…Put another way, the aim is that such lines of delineation should be seen as the most reasonable, and indeed unquestioned, set of boundaries. It is also important to emphasize that the cognitive aspect of boundary work should not be interpreted as a denial of the importance of rhetoric; on the contrary, it is an essential part of the boundary work (Holmquest, 1990;Watson, 1984). While the term "boundary work" was coined by Woolgar and Gieryn (1983), it was the latter who first put it to use (Gieryn, 1999, p. xiii).…”

Theorizing Boundary Work as Representation and Identity

“…Also, the rhetorical character of boundary work is further emphasized by work within the discipline of rhetoric. Holmquest, for example, has argued “that rhetorical scholars can and must play part in the resolution of boundary disputes and that concrete case‐studies of boundary‐work may deepen criticism of argument” (Holmquest 1990).…”