Scientific knowledge, like any philosophicalconcept has a very complex structure. It is a holistic, but constantly evolving, system. There is a close relationship between its elements, but there are significant differences.
Basic methods and levels of scientific knowledgedetermined by two points: empirical and theoretical and carried out with the help of observations and experiments, as well as hypotheses, laws and theories. There are also meta-theoretical levels of scientific knowledge in philosophy, which are represented by the philosophies of scientific research and depend on the scientist’s thinking style.
Consider the levels of scientific knowledge inphilosophy begin with empirical. In the first place, this level of knowledge contains factual material, which is carefully studied and analyzed, and systematization and generalization of the obtained results are made on this basis. This level operates with sensual methods and the object under study 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 synthesis of data in the form of classification.
Those levels of scientific knowledge, which in theirbased on empirical methods, they help to master the object under study by comparing, measuring, observing, creating conditions for conducting an experiment and analyzing the information obtained. However, we well know that experience without theory is impossible. The lack 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 are notcan exist without each other and the theoretical method always dominates the experimental one, since it is based on rationalism. Theoretical cognition draws its conclusions on the basis of reflection of phenomena from all sides, including both internal connections and regularities, as well as external indicators obtained empirically. Scientific knowledge in this case is carried out with the help of concepts, conclusions, laws, principles, etc. and it turns out to be objective and concrete, more complete and informative. The methods of abstraction, the creation of ideal conditions and mental constructions, analysis and synthesis, deduction and induction together make cognition aimed at achieving an objective truth that exists regardless of the activity of the cognizing subject.
Thus, we can conclude thatThe empirical and theoretical levels of scientific knowledge are divided conditionally in philosophy, since they do not have meaning without each other. The border between them is very mobile. The empirical method opens the way to more complex theoretical knowledge, setting tasks and stimulating more complex actions. And often scientific knowledge looks so that one level imperceptibly flows into another, resulting in a positive effect of new scientific discoveries.
Considering the levels of scientific knowledge,say about the meta-theoretical knowledge. It is also not isolated from the two previous levels of knowledge, as it expresses the values of scientific research. The metatheoretical level of knowledge requires that the knowledge obtained through empirical or theoretical means is evidence-based and substantiated, explained, described and constructed in such a way as to promote the proper organization of knowledge, rather than create chaos and do not contradict each other. The main thing in scientific knowledge is to obtain an evidence-based systemic real world picture.
So, now we clearly see that any levels of scientific knowledge cannot exist in isolation. They target, set tasks and solve them in scientific knowledge only together.
