Bernard Scientific And Cultural Concept Study

The cultural perspective of the science is the central manifest of Bernal's thought in the sociology of science. Bernal discussed the relationship between science and society ,the social function of science on the basis of dialectical materialism and historical materialism. He pointed out that scientific developing was affected by the pattern of science construction, the social factors such as culture ,productive forces and science research organizations.. First, science was institutional. Bernal reviewed the background and the history of science institutionalization.discussed the science progress from"the little science"to"the big science",interpreted the characteristics of"the big science". He thought the science institutionalizaton was social and professional as a kind of contractual relationship between science and society.Comparing different views on science such as scientific freedom and project science, Bernal pointed out the limits of science freedom and gave an example like Soviet Union Science Organization pattern to emphasize the ultimate goals of science.Second, the technical value of science. On the one hand science was the main factor to promote the social transformation,,to make the development of social productive forces, and to create the public wealth for the humanity. On the other hand, the alienation of technology was harmful to the society, specially in the case of war. Using the doctrines of Marx, Bernal exposed the roots of alienation of technology, that was the applications of science and technology in capitalism. Bernal realized that if the roots would be eliminate ,the unreasonable society and the economic system should be changed. It is necessary to establish a new social economy and the political system adapted to the sciencitific progress.Third, humanities value of science. As a cultural phenomenon, science was owned great humanities value which appeared in rational knowledge, mental attitude and aesthetic judgment. The norms of scientific community ,mental value and professional ethics made scientists great responsibility to benefit the human society. It will be useful for us to study Bernal's view on science culture in developing harmonious relationship between science and society in china.