The performed studies of perspective trends of science development in the XXI century give grounds to formulate 7 basic postulates about regularities, trends and prospects of scientific knowledge development and its use in the progressive development of civilization.

On the photo: Yuri Yakovets. Source

Postulate 1

Science - the system of knowledge accumulated by mankind about the regularities of development of nature and society and their interaction and methods of using these regularities in their interests - is the primary source of the emergence of civilization and the beginning of the formation of the noosphere as a result of the Neolithic revolution about 10 millennia ago. Each new historical epoch of the dynamics of civilizations had in its basis a radical increase of scientific knowledge and methods of its use, and became another step towards the transformation of science into a leading productive force.

Postulate 2

The modern crisis of science, unfolding since the last quarter of the XX century, is the cause and consequence of the global crisis caused by the change of long-term civilization cycles. On the basis of the scientific revolution in the first quarter of the XXI century and its embodiment in the technological revolution from the second quarter of the XXI century will begin the transition to the upward wave of the 6th Kondratiev and 7th Civilization cycles, which will be accompanied by the elevation of the role of science in society.

At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the strengthening of the positive version of the noosphere on the basis of creative creativity of science and its use in the interests of prosperity of all mankind and to limit the possibility of the negative, destructive version of the noosphere as a result of the use of science to create even more powerful means of human destruction and violation of ecological balance, which may lead to ecological catastrophe, and the extinction of mankind on planet Earth.

Postulate 3

The result of the scientific revolution is the formation of a new general scientific paradigm (an updated picture of the world), reflecting radical transformations in all components of the genotype of civilization, while in accordance with the humanistic noospheric nature of the coming integral civilization, leadership in science is transferred to social and environmental sciences, as well as human sciences. Interdisciplinary research is developing rapidly, new branches of knowledge are emerging at the intersection of related sciences (including civiliography - the science of civilizations as a synthesis of social, natural and environmental sciences).

Postulate 4

There is a shift of the center of creative activity from the West to the East, which is a consequence of the transition from the fourth generation of local civilizations under the dominance of the West to the fifth generation under the leadership of the East.

Postulate 5

In order to implement the most complex transformations in society and its interaction with nature, it is inevitable to elevate the role of science in society and improve its self-organization, strengthening its influence on government and business. An innovative partnership of science, education, government and business is being formed with the leadership of science. Science becomes the initial basis for the formation of expertise and implementation of strategic decisions at the global, regional and national levels.

Postulate 6

The current crisis of the education system leads to the loss of a significant part of the accumulated scientific heritage during the change of generations, which in turn leads to inadequate responses to the challenges of the new century. This contradiction is overcome on the basis of increasing the science intensity and fundamentality of education on the basis of synthesis of scientific, educational and information revolutions of the XXI century.

Postulate 7

Changes in living conditions and development of society have an irreversible impact on human evolution as a biological species "Homo sapiens" and changes in brain development as a result of the formation of the 3rd signal system, immersion in the virtual world of a significant part of young people. This requires deep research of new trends in human evolution, having both positive and negative sides on the basis of synthesis of social and biological sciences (including physiology of higher scientific activity), in order to ensure the preservation and further development of the species "Homo sapiens" and human mind as the highest achievement of the evolution of nature and society.

Yuri Vladimirovich Yakovets

Doctor of Economics, Professor, President of IISC, Chairman of the Department of Cycle Research and Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the Department of Civilization Studies of the International Academy of Global Studies.

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