Teorie vědy (časopis pro teorii vědy, techniky a komunikace)
2002
ročník XI /XXIV/

č. 1



Obsah:

7-28

William OUTHWAITE: Naturalismy a antinaturalismy.
29-56

Ladislav TONDL:Věda jako předmět zkoumání, posuzování a rozhodování.

57-62

Josef KROB: Filosofické otázky a speciální vědění.
63-78

Jan BALON: Max Weber a sociologické řešení naturalismu.
79-100

Adolf FILÁČEK: Vybrané aspekty vědní politiky EU.
101-120

Jaroslav POKORNÝ: Věda, technologie a společnost v síťovém věku.


ZPRÁVY - NEWS

121-144

Gerhard BANSE, Indgrid von BERG, Michael RADER :
Die Internationale Kongress "Innovations for an e-Society. Challenges for Technology Assessment".



RECENZE - REVIEWS

145-156

Piere LÉVY: Kyberkultura. (Karolína Höschlová)



William OUTHWAITE
Naturalismy a antinaturalismy.
7-28



Abstract

Naturalisms and Antinaturalisms



Perhaps the most pervasive question in relation to the systematic study of the social world is whether such study should be seen as roughly similar to the study of 'nature' or fundamentally different. More concretely, philosophers and social scientists have endlessly pondered whether the explanation (or understanding) of social processes is something radically different from the explanation of natural processes. Many of these debates have been shown to rest on inadequate and misleading models of causal explanation, but the adoption of more adequate realist models framed in terms of tendencies, liabilities and mechanisms does not in itself resolve these dilemmas. Rom Harré and Roy Bhaskar, for example, are fairly close to one another in their accounts of natural science but diverge widely in their programmes for social science. This article will outline some of these dilemmas and illustrate them with examples from the history of, and philosophical reflection on, social science.





Ladislav TONDL
Věda jako předmět zkoumání, posuzování a rozhodování.

29-56



Abstract

Science as an object of the research, assessment and decisions



The paper starts with a short overview of the etymology of the concept „science“, of the main science values including truth, security and/or increasing the security level. The semantics of this concept includes three fundamental spheres: the sphere of knowledge, the sphere of (cognitive) actions and the sphere of social entities or communities. Science as a system of justified and organized knowledge is analysed on the basis of communication principles or semiotics distinguishing syntactic problems, semantic problems and pragmatic problems. This approach enables to introduce thematic structures and problem oriented or pragmatic structures. Science as a system of specific (rational) actions includes problems connected with cognitive, evaluating and deciding actions, introducing scientific changes, the typology of scientific changes and justification of scientific changes. For the analysis of science conceived as a complex of social entities, the sociology of science including the sociology of knowledge is, especially, competent. These topics include the study of interdependences between science and social order, social and value climate, the role and structure of research communities and the functions of scientific and intellectual networks.





Josef KROB
Filosofické otázky a speciální vědění.
57-62



Abstract

Philosophical Questions and Scientific Knowledge



The author of this paper tries to demarcate the position and competence of philosophy in its relation to the natural sciences. In spite of rather weak definitions of philosophy, he stresses the necessity to respect facts of natural sciences and he, simultaneously, concludes the consecutive role that philosophy can play. Thus he finds three main forms and roles of philosophy:

1. Philosophy serving as a proxy and discoverer (or prospector).

2. Philosophy as a professional astonishment and scepticism, doubting.

3. Philosophy as a systematical seeking.

In the end of this study he analyzes differences between sciences, technology and philosophy as certain tools for manipulation with world.





Jan BALON
Max Weber a sociologické řešení naturalismu.
63-78



Abstract

Max Weber and the Sociological Problem of Naturalism



The problem of naturalism is one of the most frequently discussed issues in social scientific metatheory. Recent attempts at rethinking this long-lived problem, in its traditional formulations essentially insolvable, have one key point of reference: metodological works of Max Weber. When we re-enter his subtle dissection of social scientific foundations, we may find suprisingly strong claims in relation to the self assurence of a social scientist. For Weber, science remains an aesthetic ideal and being a scientist is bound up with certain existential choices. Operational conditions of social inquiry and possibilities of social explanation today are often highly restrictive, with binding limits. A social scientist is forced to consider all possible distortions that might appear during his reasearch task. However, this process of reflection has to be suspended at some point. If sociology throws away its potentiality to transcend local contexts, abstract its cognition, it exposes itself to the danger that it might lose a great part of its appeal and will only become a „certain kind of writing.“ Max Weber was sensible of this menace and this article traces his responses to it.



Adolf FILÁČEK
Vybrané aspekty vědní politiky EU.
79-100



Abstract

Important aspects of EU science policy



This article discusses a few selected aspects of EU science and research policy. Current changes in this area hang together with modifications in knowledge production, with new targets and priorities in science and research, and with new social, economic and political appeals which EU confront on account of extending and intensifying global competition. Especially, the following topics are discussed: tho role of the 5th EU Framework Programme, chances of the social and human sciences, the constitution of the European Research Area, and the consequences for the science policy of the Czech Republic.





Jaroslav POKORNÝ
Věda, technologie a společnost v síťovém věku.
101-120



Abstract

Science, Technology and Society in the Net Age



The paper discusses the role of computing in the third wave. We show some interesting consequences of changes in information and communication systems that can contribute to a generalisation in human and social sciences as well as a formulation of new problems. There is a number of approaches helping to manage so-called information explosion. We approach its quantitative features and show its possible, till now not very well-known consequence – a digital immortality. We also emphasise a new role of science in the frame of practice-driven research. New directions in a presentation of scientific knowledge are also discussed. They are understood as the application of information technologies, particularly of web services. We predict the emergence of transnational intellectual networks as well as new forms of academic knowledge. Finally, we summarise and formulate some problems whose solutions are essential for future science and society.





ZPRÁVY - NEWS

Gerhard BANSE, Indgrid von BERG, Michael RADER

Die Internationale Kongress "Innovations for an e-Society. Challenges for Technology Assessment".
121-144



RECENZE - REVIEWS

Piere LÉVY

Kyberkultura.
(Karolína Höschlová)

145-156



Abstract



In her article, Höschlová presents a critical review of Piere Lévy’s concept of “cyberculture.” She points out the contradiction between Lévy´s formal rejection of strictly negative or positive attitudes towards new technologies and his own strong cyber-optimistic rhetoric. His attempt to classify and define different meanings of virtuality is regarded here as beneficial, although not exhaustive. Höschlová refers to the problem of fuzzy terms in postmodern philosophy while considering ideas of Baudrillard and Lévy not necessarily contradictory. Despite critical remarks Höschlová estimates Lévy´s optimistic approach and appreciates its constructive impact.