Institute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia, Moscow, mramor59@mail.ru
The article is devoted to the analysis of the concept of one of the most influential American sociologists of science of the 20th century, R.K. Merton. According to his teachings, the ethos of science is an emotional complex of values and norms that is considered obligatory for scientists. Norms are expressed in the form of prescriptions, preferences, permissions and prohibitions. They are shaped in terms of institutional values. R.K. Merton defined universalism, disinterestedness, skepticism, and collectivism as the basic norms of science. Universalism means that intellectual criteria, not the attributes of a scientist, should be the basis for assessing the merits of scientific endeavors. Disinterestedness encourages the scientist to focus on advancing science rather than personal gain. Skepticism suggests that acceptance of ideas or results is based on critical judgment rather than authority or tradition. Scientific research related to the verification of results is under the scrutiny of fellow experts. Collectivism calls for the exchange of information for the benefit of not only the scientific community, but society as a whole. Collectivism of thought means a community of people actively participating in the exchange of ideas in specific areas. The ideas of R.K. Merton on scientific norms acquire special relevance in those conditions when the very fact of contacts with representatives of science of another state may turn out to be a turning point, if not tragic, in the fate of one or another scientist.
philosophy and sociology of science; norms of science; universalism; disinterest; skepticism; collectivism; complex of social and cultural conditions; existential factors of scientific activity
Download textFor citing: Letov O.V. (2022). The Ethics of Science by R.K. Merton. Human being: Image and essence. Humanitarian aspects. Moscow: INION RAN. Vol. 4(52), pp. 191-199. DOI: 10.31249/chel/2022.04.14