The strong programme's influence on science and technology studies is credited as being unparalleled (Latour 1999).
Failed theories would be explained by citing the researchers' biases, such as covert political or economic interests.
[5] In order to study scientific knowledge from a sociological point of view, the strong programme has adhered to a form of radical relativism.
Alan Sokal has criticised radical relativism as part of the science wars, on the basis that such an understanding will lead inevitably towards solipsism and postmodernism.
Markus Seidel attacks the main arguments – underdetermination and norm-circularity – provided by Strong Programme proponents for their relativism.