Competition: Provision or Barrier for the Growth of Scientific Knowledge?

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze the competition concept’s content in science and the relationship between differences in this content and estimates of the competition impact on the growth of scientific knowledge. It is shown that at present there are two types of competition in science: “natural”, inseparable from the scientific knowledge production process, and “artificial”, generated by the widespread introduction of neoliberal science policy in different countries. The first type of competition exists between the creators of new scientific knowledge, the second one – between individuals called upon to perform the supportingfunctions necessary for the scientific knowledge production. Competing for their positions in bureaucratic hierarchies, these individuals use measures that give rise to various forms of researchers’ misconduct that damage the scientific knowledge production processes. It is concluded that the distinction between two types of competition in science will allow a more detailed and correct analysis of the processes taking place in science as a whole and in research organizations.