Science as the Pursuit of Knowledge for Its Own Sake. An Interpretation of Stanisław Kamiński’s View
Science as the Pursuit of Knowledge for Its Own Sake. An Interpretation of Stanisław Kamiński’s View

Summary/Abstract: The paper examines the idea of the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake in Stanisław Kamiński’s reflection on science. Previous interpretations of his views have not addressed the conceptual tensions, present in his writings, between the cognitive aim of science and its practical ends. The paper identifies these tensions, especially those concerning the autotelic character of the pursuit of knowledge, the inseparability of knowledge and practice, and the coexistence of theoretical and practical aims. It then offers a rational reconstruction of Kamiński’s position based on the contemporary distinction between the final, functional, and constitutive values of knowledge. This framework allows one to interpret Kamiński’s view as expressing a pluralism of values. Knowledge may be valued as an end in itself while remaining functionally and constitutively connected with practice. Such a pluralism of values clarifies debates on the autonomy and usefulness of science.

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