On the Issue of the Political Subjectivity of Science

Abstract

The article attempts to consider the issue of the political subjectivity of science. To do this, an analysis of the concept “political” is carried out. There are two understandings of it. The first is related to the struggle with the enemy for sovereignty. It is based on the ability to distinguish between “friends” and “enemies”. The second is an attempt to include new elements into social unity. In this case, the political turns out to be associated with the entry of new agents into the existing unity. Both of these understandings imply the need to construct new political worlds that differ from the existing state of affairs. The political turns out to be associated with the ability to form special perspectives that are used to redefine social unity. The political subjectivity of science lies in the ability to construct new worlds that influence social life. In this case, science acts as an agent that creates new practices and technologies that influence society. This is precisely what leads to a redefinition of social unity. This political function of science was formed due to the active use of the results of its research in economic and social life. Political subjectivity is characteristic of modern science and is a side consequence of its success. Science does not strive to have such subjectivity, but it cannot itself abandon it, because it is the use of the results of scientific research that forms this subjectivity. Thus, science turns out to be a political actor not because of its own aspirations. It becomes a structural element of the political.