The Autonomy of Science in a Systems Theoretic Approach

Abstract

Evandro Agazzi singles out one of the fundamental knots of Modernity: the demand for autonomy. Science was one of the first human activities in demanding its own autonomy. In a complementary sense, the autonomy of science has been one of the major factors contributing to the development of Modernity. The search for autonomy, as Agazzi suggests, has put in the hands of humanity positive and important results, but it has also led to some excesses. As a consequence of such excesses, at the decline of Modernity, a certain cultural uneasiness and a strong request for new balances and connections became manifest. Agazzi so proposes to activate the systemic approach to obtain such new balances. Science will thus fulfil at best its own constitutive goals, beginning with autonomy, certainly, but also in respect and consideration of other fields equally autonomous, like ethics. Finally, we must also clarify that the systemic approach proposed by Agazzi does not eliminate human freedom, nor practical rationality, but, to the contrary, makes them possible and powerful.