Den tredje vägens ufologi : En studie av vetenskapligt gränsdragningsarbete inom Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige

Sammanfattning: The following essay or thesis is a study over scientific endeavors in the fringe. It is a study of Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige, whose proponents aim to make the UFO phenomenon (or phenomena) a subject of scientific scrutiny. To achieve this, the ufologists first have to redefine common concepts of ufology as pseudo science or religion, mainly by challenging definitions given by scientific sceptics on the one hand, and proponents of conspiracy theories or the new age environment on the other. Thus UFO-Sverige seeks to construct an alternative scientific identity in contrast to adversaries on both sides, each unwilling to give the UFO phenomenon any further examination. Following the work of Tomas Gieryn's sociological grip on questions of epistemology, especially concerning the social boundaries of science from other cultural categories through what has been labelled as epistemic boundary work, during which proponents of a particular field aim to achieve epistemic authority and thus the legitimate right to define what is and what is not science, I seek to analyze how questions of science and legitimacy are actualized in an intellectual environment or culture not broadly accepted as scientific. The essay is a case study of a given organization in the ufologic subculture, analyzing material mainly from the 1990's, and the manner in which epistemic boundary work is made explicit. I further hint at the end to which the boundary work is means, which is mainly the hope of a growing professionalization of the ufologic field. Through this I further argue that the study points at something general, namely the importance of questions of science and legitimacy outside the boundaries of conventional science, not the least for those who are usually denied the recognition of scientific legitimacy and its fruits.