The philosophy of science: A political turn

Substantial changes in the philosophical comprehension of phenomena are usually called a turn; thus, we speak about the “Copernican turn,” associated with the appearance of I. Kant’s concept, in the context of the theory of knowledge or about the “linguistic turn,” determined by the disclosure of the significant role of language in cognition. The author of the article published below is of the opinion that yet another area of philosophical knowledge, the philosophy of science, which is closest to the theory of knowledge, is also facing a turn today. This turn is political; i.e., this area of social life and culture, usually regarded as remote from political theory and practice, is undergoing politicization. Considerations about the prerequisites and content of this transformation are exceptionally topical not only for those who are somehow involved in the process of obtaining scientific knowledge but also for any member of modern society, which is unprecedentedly dependent on scientific–technological advance and related risks.