Dynamics of interaction of natural science and technology in the history of the development of scientific and technical knowledge: philosophical and methodological analysis

Abstract

The features of independent and mutually agreed development of natural sciences and technology were investigated. At different times and in different areas, there may be no communication and interaction between these fields of knowledges. The relationship of natural sciences, technical and technological knowledge may not be an interaction, but have a focus only in one direction from the donor area to the acceptor area. These relationships can occur in opposite directions, that is, they are actually an interaction. There are special areas of scientific and technical knowledge that have arisen and are developing as a coherent integral system, i.e. natural science technical and technological knowledge in it is inseparable. In the historical process of interaction of natural sciences, technical and technological knowledge, one can observe the development of an increasing spiral. Each round of such a spiral includes a sequence of historical episodes: new natural sciences knowledge, their synthesis with technical developments when creating a new research tool, new experimental possibilities that determine the receipt of new natural science knowledge and further along the ascending trajectory to the next round. For example, the creation and improvement of steam engines in the 18th and 19th centuries led to the emergence of thermodynamics, which determined the development of many fields of natural science and technology. Also, research in the field of microbiology and enzymology in the 19th and 20th centuries led to the extensive development of biotechnology, organic synthesis technologies and biosensors. In the 20th century. scientific research on crystal lattice defects led to the discovery of semiconductors and a revolutionary change in the element base of all radio engineering systems that have found application in many fields of natural science and technology. At the same time, sources of coherent electromagnetic radiation were created lasers, which also spread throughout all areas of technology. In the system of natural sciences, analytical chemistry stands out, which is a synthesis of fundamental knowledge and applied technology. Research in supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology conducted in the 20th and 21st centuries became the scientific basis for the production of electrical and optical devices; for the development of targeted medicine delivery technologies in a living organism, as well as for the creation of molecular machines. Research and technological developments in the field of microelectronics have led to the progress of informatization and digitalization of all areas of human activity. Many areas of modern natural science are becoming more and more technologically advanced, and modern industrial technologists are becoming more and more scientific. Technological knowledges spreads with necessity in many areas of the modern education system. The technology has become comprehensive it has penetrated almost all areas of the intellectual, industrial, information, humanitarian and socio-economic life of society. The technological style of thinking is increasingly incorporated into the mentality and worldview of the modern person.