Post-Science in a Post-Modern World

The destruction of grand narratives has been followed by a wary attitude towards tying scientific knowledge to a particular epistemic authority. However, science retained its status because it underlies both modernity and post-modernity. As an experimental practice of discovery, science facilitated the formation of cognitive diversity. Cognitive diversity produces new scientific knowledge and progress. Furthermore, diversity and organized skepticism facilitated the 'open society'. Simultaneously, the development of the education system led to a large-scale spread of skepticism in the scientific community and educated people. Consequently, an increasing number of people began to question the social order and the right of the elite to determine the intellectual and social 'agenda'. This initiated the emergence of a post-truth situation, where social groups are challenging each other's standpoints. What matters now is the ability to defend one's views. A similar situation is forming in science. Scientists are paying less attention to criticism. The promotion of one's own results is becoming more important than the search for truth. In this situation, intellectuals begin to play a particular role, they can take part in discussions related to various domains. This can facilitate the renewal of mutual criticism and maintain the formation of cognitive diversity.