POLITICAL INQUIRY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES: TWO ASPECTS OF INTERCONNECTEDNESS

The author defends the thesis that the implementation of science as a humanistic project in the modern world is associated with the expansion of the political influence of science. This participation, on the one hand, is determined by the special role of scientific experts, and, on the other hand, by the functioning of science as a model in the knowledge distribution system. The concrete implementation of this participation is determined by a wide range of involvement of science in social communication - from education and popularization of scientific knowledge to participation in expert support. This article focuses on understanding the trend towards naturalization in the epistemology of social sciences and no-platforming discussions as a result of the influence of the sociopolitical mission of scientists on research methodology and principles of academic communication. Thus, the methodological trend towards naturalism in social sciences is largely determined by the stereotypes of politicians about what exactly a credible scientific explanation of human nature should look like. These stereotypes are formed on the basis of simplified ideas about the image of natural science knowledge. This shift is largely associated with the technocratic imperative in politics, which suggests that the trend towards naturalization of social and scientific knowledge will only grow. The second part of the article focuses on a discussion about whether to provide a university platform for people spreading "wrong" or even "disgusting" opinions on the subject (so-called no-platforming discussions). The arguments of defenders and critics of the idea of no-platforming are evaluated. Based on the example of gender studies, the author infers that no-platforming may be motivated not so much by the scientific unfoundedness of skeptics' judgments as by the negative influence of "non-constructive dissent" on the legitimacy of civic activism. The author concludes that social sciences in the modern world do not at all seek to distance themselves from the current political agenda, actively participating both in the expertise and in supporting civic activism. This circumstance indicates that it is politicization that embodies the idea of science as a humanistic project today.