Mission of a scientist in views of philosophers who were rectors of the University of Berlin

The study identified the mission of a scientist in society in views of the famous German philosophers who were rectors of the University of Berlin in different years of the 19th century. It was a new type of educational institution which followed the concept of overcoming the medieval corporatism and teaching on the basis of researches. The paper showed that J.G. Fichte, F.D. Schleiermacher, and G.W.F. Hegel formed their opinion on the role of a scientist in the context of their views on the relationship between science and philosophy as a specific form of public consciousness. Views of these thinkers on the mission of a scientist reflect the general trend of the development of German philosophical and educational thought in the early 19th century related to the dream of reviving the lost organic integrity of spiritual being. Appeal to the heritage of German philosophers is significant for the current situation in higher education directing Russian scientists towards the rational rethinking of their path of scientific achievements.