Ciencia privada, conocimiento público. Algunas determinantes de las controversias políticas en la era de la tecnociencia

Abstract

In this paper, I will discuss the public nature of science: I offer an argument against the possibility of privatizing science and considering it as an economic good. The normative and legitimate structure in the production of scientific knowledge precludes this privatization. After introducing the dichotomies public-secret and public-private (in an economic sense), I analyse reasons for and against science being a public good. The institutional mechanisms of science (specially the communicative practices) are designed to constitute scientific results as non-exclusive and non-rival public goods, that is, goods freely available for any use. A contrast with the management of the distinction public-private within the technological system provides also some arguments for the constitutive publicity of science.