Contemporary Debates Concerning Aims of Science

Abstract

The present paper is a contribution to inquiries concerning cognitive values and goals of science. It comprises four parts which are entitled as follows: philosophy of science and philosophy of wisdom; traditional ideal of scientific knowledge; hierarchical versus reticulated model of scientific rationality; realistic axiology of science. In all of these parts continuing controversies on the relevant theme between, in principle, scientific or critical realism and nonrealistic standpoints (e.g. instrumentalism, conventionalism, pragmatism) are exposed. The author claims that there are reasons to believe that the (approximative) truth is the dominant cognitive value to be achieved in science.