When Science Is Made an “Accomplice”

Abstract

The article attempts to comprehend the relationship between science and politics and the use of scientific knowledge by various actors to promote their own political, ideological and other agendas. The author considers a few concepts that have resulted from the complication of various spheres of life and, accordingly, from the need for a new description and organization of science. These issues are also associated with new formats of relationships between science and society encouraged by the changing scientific, social and other contexts. The author notes that as a result, scientific activity becomes more sensitive to social needs, yet also more susceptible to various social, political and other influences. This situation is illustrated with the ways in which social activists employ scientific knowledge and public science communication to advance their ideological positions, influence political and/or economic decisions and motivate civic action. The author points out the multiplicity of actors engaged in the assessment of scientific discoveries and the formation of the scientific and political agenda. The article assesses the importance of taking into account the political context of the relationship between science and society in the models of science communication. In conclusion, the author questions the possibility of conceptualizing collective political agency of science without a thorough discussion of how it engages the role of non-scientific actors.