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THE SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE. TO THE DISCUSSION ON INTELLECTUALS // Tomsk State Pedagogical University Bulletin. 2015. Issue 5 (158). P. 128-134

The problem of intellectuals is genetically related to the question of the social functions of scientific knowledge. An intellectual in the European tradition is regarded as a link connecting science and society, making the transition from concrete scientific knowledge to the general socio-political issues. In this context, the notion of an intellectual is determined not by the reference to his line of work, but through the social functions that he performs outside the scientific community. The main social function of an intellectual is social design, formulation of common social objectives. Modern intellectuals are facing a choice between the neoliberal social project and the collective social project, the question of whether individual freedom can be regarded as a universal social purpose.

Keywords: intellectual, truth, ideology, social design, social functions of scientific knowledge