Cognitive functions and typology of scientific problems

The article deals with place and role of a research problem and its cognitive functions. The author distinguishes following cognitive functions of the problem: initiating, integrating, systematizing, and regulatory. The fundamental scientific problem is a specific cognitive and communicative attractor for the academic society and culture as a whole. The article sets forth a functional typology of the scientific problems including six types: 1) existence, 2) description, 3) explanation, 4) prognostication, 5) technological problems, 6) reflexive problems. This typology may be applied for research of the science development.