ON THE CHARACTER OF CATASTROPHES IN SCIENCE: THE PROBLEM OF DEVIATION AND ORIENTATION IN COGNITIVE PROCESSES IN SCIENCE

The paper outlines specific changes in scientific systems and in hierarchy of authoritativeness of scientists, whose status is connected with such systems. Catastrophes in science are described as both systemic catastrophes and catastrophes in hierarchy. These catastrophes are presented as a normal element in science and important problem of proper attitude of scientific staff is described. A scientific catastrophe is compared to scientific revolution. The problem of what can and what cannot be foreseen is addressed. Socio-cultural charcteristics of scientific catastrophe is presented and circumstances leading to such catastrophes are described. Catastrophes are also presented as factor for changes