Basic norms of the scientific ethos
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St Petersburg State University
Abstract
The article aims to formulate and differentiate the norms of classical science, modern fundamental
science, and applied science as wel as determine the areas where they intersect. The
four standards of scientific ethos (CUDOS) proposed by R. Merton are considered: 1) Communalism:
belief in the common achievements of scientific knowledge; 2) Universalism: the
truth of statements should be evaluated regardless of the age, gender, race, authority and titles
of scientists; 3) Disinterestedness: the primary stimulus of a scientist’s activity is a disinterested
search for truth; 4) Organized Skepticism: the scientist is responsible for evaluating the
soundness what other colleagues have done as well as the reliability of their results. Using
the golden rule of morality, 12 more norms are formulated (5–16 in the text). A tendency of
abandoning of Merton’s norms has arisen with the development of applied science and its
commercialization. As an example, standards of the PLACE system by J. Ziman are described
(ownership, patent; solution of local problems determined by authoritarian management;
work orders; implementation of work by a limited circle of experts). When rejecting Merton’s
norms, the features of fundamental and applied science are not taken into account. The article
shows that Merton norms and the norms provided in paragraphs 5–16 relate to classical science
and modern fundamental science. Ziman’s norms as well as the norms in the paragraphs
noutid are applicable to applied science. The norms (5–16) are common to fundamental and
applied science. Violations of the norms of scientific ethics, such as falsification of empirical material, plagiarism, incorrect quotation, undeserved authorship, and sale of dissertations,
are highlighted the article. Their objective and subjective reasons are revealed. Although the
behavior of scientists does not fully coincide with the norms of scientific ethos, it produces an
important regulatory influence on the scientific community as an ideal, orienting scientists to
achieve maximum objectivity of knowledge and its use for the benefit of society.
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Citation
Gubanov N. I., Gubanov N. N. Basic norms of the scientific ethos. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Philosophy and Conflict Studies, 2021, vol. 37, issue 3, pp. 416–427.