• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.2 no.1 s.3
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• pp.157-189
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• 2002

Science and technology policy a lot of implicit usjustified assumptions. These assumption without being reflected may cause various social problems. In this paper, lit is shown that philosophy of science could make contribution to resolving these problems. In epistemological viewpoints, theory of science and technology policy has been analyzed. I argue that social kinds, social entities appeared in social science should be interpreted realisticaly. Realizing this realistic interpretation of social kinds, as one field of social sciences, theory of science and technology policy can deal with the causal relation among social entities and the causal influence of science and technology policy more objectively- scientific knowledge has two components. One belongs to coded knowledge and the other belong to tacit knowledge which cannot be coded. I analyze the content and characters of tacit knowledge appeling to Michael Polany. One of the important function of science and technology policy is to make tacit knowledge more fruitful. I argue that philosophy of science fit well this function. Finally I claim that philosophy of science can help science and technology policy to reduce the ethical problems caused by science and technology.