Teissier affair
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The Teissier affair was a controversy that occurred in France in 2001. French astrologer Élizabeth Teissier was awarded a doctorate in sociology by Paris Descartes University for a doctoral thesis in which she argued that astrology was being oppressed by science. Her work was contested by the scientific community within the context of the science wars, and compared to the Sokal hoax. Criticisms included the alleged failure to work within the field of sociology and also lacking the necessary scientific rigour for a doctoral thesis in any scientific field. The university and jury who awarded the degree were harshly criticised, though both they and Teissier had supporters and defenders.
On April 7, 2001, Elizabeth Teissier defended her thesis[1] entitled Situation épistémologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination-rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes[2][3] ("The Epistemological Situation of Astrology in Relation to the Ambivalent Fascination/Rejection of Postmodern Societies")[4] – accounts of the defense have been published.[5][6] Her studies at the University of Paris Descartes were under the supervision of Michel Maffesoli, an Emeritus Professor of Sociology.[3] The central idea of the thesis was described by The New York Times as being that astrology is being oppressed by science,[clarification needed] which Teissier called "official science" and "monolithic thought".[4] Teissier argued, however, that her work is devoid of bias and had "focused only on the misunderstanding that astrology as a multimillennial knowledge vehicle" provokes.[7] Her prepared statement was enthusiastically received by her supporters, but there was also a declaration from the editor-in-chief of Science et Vie Junior that what was occurring was a "farce".[8][9] At end of the defense, the jury deliberated only briefly before Serge Moscovici admitted Teissier to her doctoral degree[10] with the "very honourable" distinction.[11][12]
Initial reaction
Controversy erupted in the scientific community following the decision, and several sociologists also publicly challenged its legitimacy.[13][14][15] The university was criticised for granting the degree, as was the jury, along with Teissier's statements in support of astrology as a science,[13][14] though the university rejected accusations of "irresponsibility".[16] A petition signed by over 370 sociologists was sent to Professor Pierre Daumard, the President of the university;[17] he responded that the Teissier had complied with all university requirements and it is not his place to question the "guarantees of the scientific validity of the thesis" from the independent jury.[16] Daumard also defended that astrology is a legitimate subject for sociological study for its impact on society,[16] a point on which Teissier's critics agreed.[18] These critics were themselves criticised for their "incendiary" complaints which targeted her personally for her astrological beliefs instead of based on her thesis.[19] Critics were also described as engaging in a witch-hunt whose true target was the academic reputation of Michel Maffesoli.[20] Maffesoli addressed the controversy in an email on 23 April 2001, acknowledging that the thesis included some "slippages" but minimising the importance of these errors.[21] Maffesoli added that there is a "manhunt" against him and more broadly against scientific and intellectual rigor in "diverse approaches to sociology",[21] but still engaged with critics such as Christian Baudelot at an ASES-organised symposium on the Teissier affair.[17][22][23] Maffesoli did state during the defense that he had tried to keep Teissier focused on the sociological impact of astrology rather than discussing its scientific legitimacy, while still maintaining that the thesis demonstrated sufficient sociological significance to justify awarding the doctorate.