SCIENCE, ETHICS AND IDEOLOGY

Abstract

The author renders problematic questions relating to the production of scientific and technological knowledge, according to the postulates of western epistemology (Cartesianism) and the relations existing between the production of this wisdom with Social Ethics. A discussion is made of the theme of scientific neutrality and the adoption of a critical perspective in the cognoscitive process which takes into account the diversity of social and cultural values. The importance is also stressed of considering the social actors who became visible after the collapse of socialism and the generalized crisis affecting western societies, demanding the application of human rights, ethics and democracy. Criticism is also leveled at the neo-liberal ideology which - while advocating free competition and free markets as the only means for a rational organization of economic, social and political life - justifies individual and narcissistic behavior of man and favors the acceleration of technical change. This change, in turn, has an impact on the production and marketing of goods and on the mobility of capital on a worldwide scale, accentuating the social polarization which exists in societies.