Основни фактори за трансформациите в ролята и социалните функции на науката в съвременното „общество на знанието“
Transformations in the Role and Social Functions of Modern Science: Main Factors and Prerequisites

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the main factors and prerequisites for transformation processes occurring in the social context of modern science. For the purpose of our analysis a self-elaborated interpretive scheme is applied in which the system of science is presented as composed of two main components: cognitive, representing the body of the dynamically evolving scientific knowledge, and social (research socium). The whole system operates in a particular external environment (economic, political, cultural, etc.) and is in a continuous interaction with it. As factors of endogenous nature there are indicated: changes in cognitive structure of science and the dynamics of its development, including acts of self-reflection; the role of social factors in the system of science, highlighting the growing role of social commitment of individual scientists with certain socially important causes and the development of the research institutions in the direction of paying more attention to the transfer of scientific knowledge to industry and business and to communication with the political authorities and the public. The role of the exosystemic factors relating to the external environment of science is also discussed. The main influencing components are summarized as: policies and resourcing, procurements and knowledge and scientific products market, values and ethics, understanding and trust. In addition, some important factors of a complex nature are highlighted: the role of new technologies, globalization and transformations in the knowledge production. It was concluded that current challenges assign a new role of science which should increase their responsibility and reflection regarding the specific problems of today’s society.

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