Emotions and intelligence in the context of scientific cognition

The paper reflects one of the main tendencies in modern epistemology, the disclosure of the human dimension of scientific cognition. Science in classical epistemology acted as a purely rational undertaking, and “ideal” scientists were supposed to be dispassionate researchers. Moving beyond these traditional perceptions, we show that feelings and emotional reactions are an integral part of scientific practice. They help both to initiate the scientific inquiry and to justify its results. Special attention is paid to the images and metaphors used in scientific language in order to show that they can reflect not only the individual and personal characteristics (creative imagination and intuition) of the subjects of cognition, but also the features of their evolutionary and social history. The paper thus demonstrates that scientific cognitive activity is deeply ingrained in the life-world and consciousness of a creator - a person who undertakes such activity.