Scientific knowledge in modern society: from objectivity to objective sociality

The article addresses the issue of how scientific knowledge is socially conditioned, emphasizing a communicative approach to understanding its foundations. The reflection on the social underpinnings of science is explored within the domain of social philosophy. Central to this exploration is the concept of transdisciplinarity, which characterizes the modern production of scientific knowledge as socially contingent. The traditional model of objective reality, inherent in classical science, is argued to be evolving towards an understanding of objective sociality. This shift acknowledges new models of sociality that underscore the diminishing role of subjectivity amidst increasing individualization. Key thinkers such as K. Knorr-Cetina, Z. Bauman, M. Castells, and G. Reingold are referenced to illustrate this transformation. Sociality is increasingly viewed as a hybrid construct resulting from the collaborative efforts of techno-cyber systems and living individuals. The article underscores the relevance of referencing medical practices to study transdisciplinarity. In medical contexts, biomedical technologies are integrated into the patient’s life world, serving as experimental grounds for testing the application standards of advanced technologies to address socio-humanitarian issues. Bioethics serves as an example of transdisciplinary knowledge, integrating philosophical, socio-philosophical, technical, and applied medical perspectives to tackle specific patient-related challenges. In conclusion, the article underscores the dynamic interplay between scientific knowledge production and its societal contexts, advocating for a nuanced understanding of how scientific objectivity intersects with and shapes modern social realities.