Humanity as a Subject of Scientific Knowledge and social responsibility in the philosophy of Hans Jonas

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to define the understanding of humanity as a collective subject of scientific knowledge and the social responsibility of a scientist as interpreted by H. Jonas. To achieve this goal, the author uses the methodology of hermeneutical analysis for the interpretation of philosophical ideas and texts and the logical and historical approach to understanding the different stages of evolution of the subject's responsibility for the results of scientific activity.

The article establishes that in the understanding of H. Jonas, in the second half of the twentieth century, a sphere of collective activity was formed, where humanity became the subject of scientific knowledge and transformation of social and natural reality, and the entire biosphere of the planet became the object. In the new reality of techne, as interpreted by H. Jonas, man has not only begun to have a strong influence on natural and social reality, but has also become the object of serious technological influence, which is realized through the introduction of three key forms of control: over the life expectancy, behavior, and genetic evolution of modern man.

It is proved that for a long time, moral norms and responsibility of scientists for the results of their activities were regulated by the categorical imperative of I. Kant, which concerned mainly the sphere of interpersonal relations. With the emergence of a collective subject of scientific knowledge, the «horizon of responsibility» of a person is significantly expanding, which should cover the entire sphere of production and public policy. In order to define the limits of a scientist's responsibility for the consequences of his or her activities and to ensure the survival of humanity in the conditions of technogenic civilization, H. Jonas formulated a new categorical imperative: «Act in such a way that the consequences of your activity are consistent with the continuation of authentic human life on earth» or «Act in such a way that the consequences of your activity are not destructive of the future possibility of such life». In this way, humanity undertakes to preserve the physical world intact as a space and a necessary condition for the existence of future generations of people.

The practical significance of the study is based on the need to develop qualitatively new mechanisms and norms for regulating the activities of scientists in a situation of transitivity, social and geopolitical uncertainty in a post-industrial society.