ESSAY ONE. FROM GENERAL SCIENTIFIC VALUES TO SPECIFIC THEORETICAL ASSESSMENTS, Pp. 10-55

Abstract In this essay, O. Gabovich and V. Kuznetsov explore the issue of values and assessments through the lens of the polysystemic composition of domain-specific scientific theories—such as Newtonian celestial mechanics, classical theory of the electromagnetic field, quantum electrodynamics, and quantum chromodynamics. Each of the theory's 16 homogeneous subsystems comprises a set of relevant components, including ontic presuppositions about the studied entities and their attributes, abstract models of these entities, languages, problems, operations, etc. Scientific values are essential for both the emergence and understanding of relationships, both between the components of a theory and between these and the non-theoretical aspects of science, such as individual researchers and their communities, informational, financial, and material resources, organizational structures like academies and universities, state authorities, political parties, social classes, and others. Theoretical assessments are regarded as properties of these relationships, expressed through specific non-dichotomous quantitative and qualitative value scales. The assessments used by scientists to resolve new problems within the framework of existing theories are highlighted as factors influencing their evolution. Keywords: Domain-Specific Theory, Theory as a Polysystem, Meanings of the Term Value, Theory as a Tool for Producing New Knowledge, Range of Theoretical Assessments Table of Contents Introduction Structural Subsystems of Scientific Theory as a Polysystem Epistemic Virtues and Values Origin and Ambiguity of the Terms “Value” and “Assessment” Axiology or Axiologies Reflections on the Sphere of Axiology Types of Values Science as a Value and Its Internal Values That Facilitate the Value of Science Value Dimensions of Science The Theory as a Foundation of New Knowledge Generation General Overview and Types of Scientific Assessments Polysemy of the Term “Assessment” General Symbolization of Binary Relations between Types of Scientific Components Certain Assessment Specifications of Relations between Types of Scientific Components Assessment of Student Knowledge and the Main Assessment (i.e., Novelty) of the Scientific Research Assessments Employed by Scientists When Addressing Problems within Existing Theories Examples of Assessments in the Subsystem of Scientific Knowledge Evaluation Example of the Maxim: “If you want to survive, change” Conclusions