ABSTRACT
A conception of science and applied science as partial knowledge would, without assuming their impartiality, capture their specificity as formidable yet dangerous resources of empowerment. A concept that takes into account the quality of science and applied science as social constructions, yet does not obscure their quality as factual knowledge of nature, is the concept of partial knowledge. Science and applied science are partial in two senses. Science is an incomplete form of knowledge. Applied science also constitutes incomplete knowledge. Differences between pure science and applied science must not, however, obscure a fundamental similarity between them. They are both social constructions influenced by values, interests, and power in society. Science and applied science can have either environmentally efficient or wasteful consequences, depending upon whether the development of partial scientific and technological knowledge is steered in a direction that is partial to a natural environment capable of sustaining living species.
