Research On Scientists' Humanistic Spirit And Its Value

The rapid development of science and technology not only brings about the development of human society,but also gives rise to a series of deviation between man and nature,man and society,man and himself.Hence researchers in the field of philosophy of science and technology have conducted in-depth tracing back and made detailed inquiries from different perspectives with reflection on the humanistic spirit of the subject of scientific activities being a significant composing endeavor.Western scholars,represented by Sutton and Snow,deeply realize that the scientific crisis lies essentially in that science falls into the trap of instrumental rationality,and the realistic way to eliminate its social roots is to exert guidance and restraint upon science toward being "social good",which shall be accomplished by giving full play to the role and function of scientists' humanistic spirit,not by science itself.The study of scientists'humanistic spirit and its value contributes to revealing the humanistic implication and meaning of science and enhancing researchers' identification of their own humanistic spirit on one hand,and help promote the deeper understanding of the general public,including scientists,on the lofty mission to promote human's well-being and humanistic significance of science on the other.Science and technology of the world today is in a period of great development,drastic change and extensive adjustment.Although China has changed the developing policy from "saving the nation through science' to "a powerful country through science and technology",the demand from the country and its people for scientists with national identity,warmth and indomitable spirit remains unchanged.Notably,with the rise of mainstream values such as "Tech for Social Good"and "Human Being the End" in various organizations nowadays,the study of scientists'humanistic spirit and its value has been endowed with a new significant mission of the time.This study makes an integrated application of both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods,such as literature analysis,content analysis,social network analysis,semantic network analysis,grounded theory,comparative analysis,etc.Based on the autobiographies and memoirs of 420 outstanding scientists and interviews with 127 contemporary Chinese young scientific and technological elites,this thesis explores the value and significance of humanistic spirit to scientists' scientific research and innovation activities from the internal perspective of scientists.It tries to reveal the influencing factors of scientific activities,break the public's stereotype of scientists,and provide multi-path references for the training of scientific and technological innovation talents.The research contents include the following aspects:Firstly,this thesis briefly analyzes the necessity and significance of the research.By presenting and describing the overall spiritual outlook of Chinese scientists and the background of the times when the spirit of scientists was vigorously advocated and carried forward in China,it is pointed out that the study of the human spirit and its value of scientists is not only a demand of the times,but also a practical necessity.Secondly,this thesis demarcates and clarifies some basic concepts and theories related to research.By combining three current international representative viewpoints,it defines scientists'humanistic spirit as:the academic attainment of scientists,the conscience of scientists and the great love expressed by scientists in a rational way.Thirdly,this thesis makes an empirical analysis on the humanistic spirit of outstanding scientists.It discovers that the humanistic spirit of outstanding scientists is mainly manifested in profound humanistic and artistic competence,pure motivation for seeking and exploring knowledge,and universal feelings for promoting human well-being.At the same time,it also analyzes the functions of humanistic spirit in enlightening outstanding scientists in scientific activities,such as broadening cognitive boundaries,enlightening spiritual thinking,purifying creative mood and awakening moral conscience.Fourthly,this thesis further explores the connotation and significance of the humanistic spirit of contemporary Chinese young scientific and technological elites under the dual consideration of culture and the context of the times.It finds out that the humanistic spirit of contemporary Chinese young scientific and technological elites is mainly embodied in the positive feelings for serving people in the country,the attitude of being faithful,the spirit of persistent exploration and cooperation,and the willingness be dedicated to helping the world.At the same time,it also discusses the internal mechanism from four aspects:emotional catalysis,moral restraint,realm promotion and mission guidance.Fifthly,the thesis reconsiders the connotation and value of scientists'humanistic spirit.Based on the results of two empirical studies,it demonstrates the basic viewpoint that "the essence of the humanistic spirit of scientists is a kind of human concern" in terms of human nature of the subjects of scientific activities,human nature in scientific social functions,human nature in scientific cultural practice,and human being as the starting point and foothold respectively.The thesis also deeply analyzes its "useless" use in enriching scientists' culture and spiritual pursuit,promoting scientific and technological innovation and sustainable development of human society.At the same time,this paper considers the limitation of the positive role of scientists'humanistic spirit from the perspective that the role of scientists'humanistic spirit is restricted by objective conditions and that there are differences between humanity and science in ontology and methodology.Then,the study explores how contemporary scientists should maintain the balance and tension between pursuing scientific progress and promoting human welfare in the era of big science.Last but not least,by dialectical analyzing the current cultivation and promotion of the actual environment of Chinese scientists' humanistic spirit,this thesis puts forward some targeted countermeasures and suggestions.The innovation of this research lies in that it extracts and dissects the connotation and value of scientists'humanistic spirit from concrete and micro scientific practice by means of comprehensive empirical analysis and theoretical speculation.The core conclusion of this study is that the scientists humanities spirit essence is a kind of human concern,which not only promotes scientists' self-enrichment,but also helps scientists to break the constraints of the old paradigm and grasp the nature of science dialectically,so as to guide and inspire scientists to put forward wise and pertinent suggestions for human activities from a responsible perspective.In a sense,it has a far-reaching influence,making scientists think about the relationship between man and nature,man and man,man and the world at a higher level and thus enhancing their capability of discovering and creating.At the same time,the research also points out that we should properly understand the positive influence of scientists' humanistic spirit on scientific innovation activities,and fully understand the commonality and consistency of humanistic spirit and scientific spirit in promoting human welfare.Only by realising the organic integration of the two,can we promote the substantial progress and development of science and technology and society.