In this paper we consider an interaction between the reflection in the scientific activity and the scientific habitus. We claim that the ultimate goal of scientific activity consists in the desire to affect the scientific behavior of other scientists. As a rule, this means that scientific results are recognized more or less fundamental and depending on the fact that they determine scientific interests of the whole community of scientists. Accordingly, the scientific activity, which has entailed a serious discovery or invention, becomes a standard for the research behavior of the majority of members of scientific community. As a result, the given discovery or invention becomes the important part of scientific habitus (the embodied, interiorized social structure in scientific activity). The reflection in the scientific activity is a human ability that allows us to oppose the scientific habitus and not to subordinate the logical level of scientific argumentation to the dialectical level and the latter to the rhetorical level of scientific argumentation.
The paper deals with some of the contemporary theories of science which see the latter as an organized cognitive activity. On the background of the controversy concerning the nature of rationality and relativism the author underlines the contribution of the sociology of scientific knowledge, showing its role in reconceptualization of the dichotomy between internalism and externalism. His argumentation is in favor of the institutional conception of science as a subsystem of society. The problem of the reliability of knowledge is explained in the context of the globalized science: for science to be cognitively successful it is necessary to optimize the institutional mechanisms producing consensus and working as the controlling and corrective mechanisms.
This short period was abundant in scientific and organizational innovations that helped in establishing the scientific community in Russia and fostering the features of a Russian scientist. The analysis is made at macrosocial level, on the assumption that actions of an individual are guided by a broader social background. Russian scientists in that period embodied the liberal force regarding science as an activity for the benefit of people and opposing the power, although in XX century many of them became democrats, and there were some participating in revolutionary movement of 1905 (for example, I.Mechnikov, a great Russian microbiologist). They regarded self-organization as the main tool to consolidate their social standing. The research was done mostly in universities and combined with teaching. Universities accommodated most part of academic schools and scientific societies. Regular congresses of naturalists and medical doctors were launched in that period (since 1867), a new institutional form of biological research appeared, sea stations, and a new form of research funding, philanthropic societies. Naturalists were engaged in public educative work, and money received went for charitable purposes. They advocated rights of women for higher education and engagement in research. The prevailing philosophy of Russian scientists was materialism and positivism, not in its original classical form but its materialistic slogan denying speculative constructions and follow only facts. The October revolution was met by most of them with distrust or opposition, although there were some who welcomed it (for example K.Timiryazev, an outstanding Russian physiologist) and readily collaborated with it.
On the basis of works of foreign and Ukrainian scientists the relation between scientific activity and international competitiveness of economy has been investigated. The importance of investment support as a necessary condition of productive functioning of scientific sphere has been substantiated. The theoretical-methodological aspects and legal regulation of scientific research in Ukraine have been investigated. Basing on statistical data the present level and dynamics of investments in Ukrainian scientific sphere have been analyzed. The recommendations aimed at increasing their activeness have been given.
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