默顿科学规范论的价值要素与行为规范

The Values and Norms in Merton's Theory of the Norms of Science

默顿是系统提出和阐述科学规范的第一人。他先后提出了"科学的精神特质"和"科学的规范性结构"这两个概念。前者突出的是科学与其他社会现象在价值观和行为规范上的根本区别,后者则强调"科学的精神特质"是科学价值和科学规范的"复合结构"。默顿认为,科学的最根本的价值目标是"扩展被证实了的知识",它包含客观性和原创性这两个基本的价值要素。科学规范系统是科学价值的体现和实现科学价值的手段,它包含普遍主义、公有主义、非谋利性和有组织的怀疑主义等四个基本规范。学界对这几个规范的误读或误译必须校正。

Merton was the first to formulate the norms of science systematically. He first proposed the concept of ＂ethos of science＂ and then he developed the concept of ＂normative structure of science＂. The former focuses on the fundamental differences in values and norms between science and other social phenomena, while the latter emphasizes that ＂ethos of science＂ is the ＂complex＂ of values and norms of science. Merton argues that the most fundamental goal of science is ＂the extension of certified knowledge＂ which entails two fundamental values： objectivity and originality. The normative system of science which includes four fundamental norms, i.e. universalism, communism, disinterestedness and organized skepticism, represents the values of science and constitutes the proper means for materializing the values of science. It is argued that misunderstandings or misinterpretations of these norms must be corrected.