Митове и професионално поведение в българската наука
Myths and Professional Behaviour in Bulgarian Science

Summary/Abstract: Certain parameters of the scientific situation are systematically neglected by sociologists, who consider them implicit and do not particularly study them. The scientific myths, socially legitimated include the following. First, exclusiveness of the scientist, of his/her discovery and the characteristics necessary for scientific work. The myth is maintained by the esoterism of the occupation and of the scientific lan¬guage. Second, the scientific prestige and recogni¬tion — the eponym is from the prerogatives of the autonomous internal evaluation, and the regular science is a massive resource of titulars. Third, the scientific liberty — the dysfunctional external influence is being capitalyzed on rather than studying the forms of dependence and the degree of their rational regula¬tion. Fourth, the reliability and the unanimous expertise, which is a social rather than a logical procedure. And fifth, the ideal motivation, expressing the nostalgic ideal of the early stages of the develop¬ment of science. In science, cultural prerequisites are essential. Bulgarian culture is amalgam, imitating the European culture and claiming to be a part of it. In transfer of science there are certain peculiarities; the necessary enlightening and support of liberation reorganize theem-phasises;the representatives of cultural elite are dealing with science without being entirely devoted to it; ex¬ternal influence on science and on scientific ideas is personified. In an ultra-modern situation the small scale and the peculiarities of peripheral science turn to be significant factors. The myths and the scientific situation bring forth several models of professional behaviour; imitative, "external referent group" model, corporative model, "professional umbrella" model, and expert-pragma¬tic model. Each of them is analyzed separately. Scientific functioning has its subtleties. Times neg¬lecting these subtlieties are dangerous,even if otherwise progressive.

• Details
• Contents