Abstract

The article begins from a consideration of the relationships between ethics and method, dignity and trustworthiness of the scholar in his normal activity. Then the views of Stanisław Ossowski are presented concerning the conditions of the permanence and development of the normal academic life, and his commandments for the academic professions are quoted safeguarding the normal academic life. A discussion of the question of freedom and responsibility in academic research is combined with Ossowski’s conception of philosophy of science. Ossowski had a conception of the historical mission and function of science. With it was connected a notion of indispensable freedom of the scientists which they must possess to be able to perform their professional tasks normally. Ossowski also had a conception of the duties and professional responsibility of the scientists. The article ends with a review of threats to the normal functioning of science and of the countermeasures that should be used, according to Ossowski, in order to ensure growth of science and unencumbered performance of scholarly tasks.