ABSTRACT
This chapter explains Joseph Rouse’s idea that power plays a role in the generalization of local knowledge and in the standardization of scientific practice. Traditional philosophy of science rejects the dimension of power, or there was no dimension of power at all. An idea is hidden in the views that politics and power are the factors ruining autonomy of science, bad for science research. However, in the 1960s, this idea of scientific knowledge and rationality came to meet challenges from every field. Power has been a core notion in political philosophy. The classical theorists on political thought insist that state power should be regarded as owned and manipulated by the individual, social classes, political parties and groups, and churches. The alliance of power and knowledge is deeply rooted in social relations. Institutions such as army, school, and factory are all subject to discipline in the relation of power immerged.
