Elvira Martini

The topic of borders has not been studied so much in sociology (Strassoldo 1971, 1976, 1987); this work deals with it in a multidisciplinary perspective. Although it can easily be linked to numerous and important sociological analysis of the migration dynamics (Ambrosini 2020; Cesareo 2015; Zanfrini 2015), here the reflection is focused on the transformative dynamics – not necessarily supported by migratory experiences – that social actors imagine to be feasible and try to put into action in order to improve their life conditions (van Gennep 1909; Turner 1972)...

The ambition of the new technologies is to develop fully aware machines (technological singularity) and to create situations where humans and computers could merge seamlessly, creating totally impenetrable intellectual. In other words, this would create situations where we can see ourselves in the machines and be able to experience the machine in ourselves...

E. MARTINI, Looking a little further ahead: the contribution of Ardigò to sociology. Achille Ardigò has shown that «any research of truth, especially scientific truth, requires inter-subjectivity as initial process of control and objectivity in scientific knowledge». In his conception, no knowledge makes sense if it is separated from the real introspective and emphatic and communicative process. For this reason, he calls for a deeper analysis on sociality of science and technology as the social perspective – in the application of new technologies – encourages the human being to be regarded as source and final target of all and any scientific knowledge (science is therefore considered as observer dependant). In my opinion Science and Technology Studies are a good example to confirm the afore-going as the former have envisaged different approaches to study the human and social dimension within every new piece of knowledge and technology (Ardigò’s inter-subjective objectivity). These studies sustain that social research cannot be restricted to the impacts of science and technology on society, but it should also focus on the way and manner stakeholders’ networks are set up and yield results in the scientific and technological domains including also any cognitive-operational strategies and social factors which foster the diffusion of such scientific and technological output. Key words: individual, empathy, conscience, knowledge, technology.