The Law-Science Chasm

Book excerpt: "THE LAW-SCIENCE CHASM" is a socio-legal study that takes seriously the varying approaches to science that physicians and scientists use, as compared to legal actors such as judges and lawyers. Offering a way to mediate and translate their different perspectives and assumptions, Gilson uses sociological and philosophical methodologies to explain each discipline to the other. "Gilson's book takes seriously the idea of the autopoietic closure of society's communicative subsystems and works out the consequences in particular for science and law. This analysis both lends support to the credibility of the approach adopted and sheds light on the problems and the direction in which potential solutions might lie.... The book consequently makes an important contribution not only to the literature dealing with the relationship between science and law but also to the literature dealing with the application of autopoietic systems theory to tangible concerns. This book is therefore of clear significance to those continuing to wrestle with the challenges thrown up by science for law and policy even when the spotlight of public attention is directed elsewhere." -- JOHN PATERSON, Professor of Law, University of Aberdeen (from the Foreword) Part of the new "Dissertation Series" from Quid Pro Books.