Levels of scientific knowledge and their features

Scientific knowledge, like any philosophical concept, has a very complex structure. It is an integral, but constantly developing system. There is a close relationship between its elements, but there are also significant differences.

The main methods and levels of scientific cognition are determined by two points: empirical and theoretical and are carried out with the help of observations and experiments, as well as hypotheses, laws and theories. There are also metatheoretical levels of scientific knowledge in philosophy, which are represented by philosophical attitudes of scientific research and depend on the style of thinking of the scientist.

To consider the levels of scientific knowledge in philosophy we begin with the empirical. The first place at this level of knowledge is the actual material, which is carefully studied and analyzed and on this basis the systematization and generalization of the results obtained is done. This level operates sensory methods and the studied object is displayed, first of all, in external manifestations that are accessible to contemplation. Signs of the empirical level is the collection of facts, their description, systematization and generalization of data in the form of classification.

Those levels of scientific knowledge, which have empirical methods at their core , help to master the object under study by comparison, measurement, observation, creating conditions for the experiment and analyzing the information obtained. However, we are well aware that an experiment without theory is impossible. The absence of rational moments sometimes leads supporters of the empirical level of scientific knowledge to an inexplicable absurdity.

Therefore, the methods and levels of scientific knowledge can not exist without each other and the theoretical method always dominates the experimental, because it is based on rationalism. Theoretical cognition makes its conclusions on the basis of the reflection of phenomena from all sides, including internal connections and patterns, as well as external indicators obtained empirically. Scientific knowledge in this case is realized with the help of concepts, inferences, laws, principles, etc. And it turns out to be objective and concrete, more complete and meaningful. The methods of abstraction, creation of ideal conditions and thought structures, analysis and synthesis, deduction and induction together make cognition aimed at achieving objective truth, existing regardless of the activity of the cognizing subject.

Thus, it can be concluded that the empirical and theoretical levels of scientific knowledge are divided in philosophy very conditionally, since they do not make sense without each other. The border between them is very mobile. The empirical method opens the way for more complex theoretical knowledge, posing problems and stimulating more complex actions. And often scientific knowledge looks so that one level imperceptibly flows into another, giving as a result the positive effect of new scientific discoveries.

Considering the levels of scientific knowledge, one can not help saying about metatheoretical cognition. It is also not separate from the two previous levels of cognition, because it expresses the values of scientific research. The metatheoretical level of cognition requires that knowledge obtained empirically or theoretically is evidence-based and justified, explained, described and constructed in such a way as to promote the correct organization of knowledge, rather than creating chaos and not contradicting each other. The main thing in scientific cognition is obtaining a demonstrative systemic picture of the world.

So, now we clearly see that any levels of scientific knowledge can not exist separately. They aim, set tasks and solve them in scientific knowledge only together.