Abstract. The long triumph of constructivism, particularly visible works such as
Kuhn's writing on the structure of scientific revolutions, and many other
scientific studies have made one thing clear: Reason alone does not decide
on scientific topics, theories, and methods. Instead, very different
factors, often considered illegitimate, help determine the course of
science. These findings make scientific enlightenment gestures recurrently
appear as sheer mockery, undermine the validity claims of scientific
statements, open up possibilities for a strong politicisation of science and
block any retrograde way out. Those who are nevertheless convinced of the
importance of scientific autonomy, who defend a special validity of
scientific knowledge and who accept the scientific duty of responsiveness,
should acknowledge the decision-making challenges in science and, as the
article recommends, engage in theory-theoretical dialogues.