New Report on Condition of Knowledge in Developed Societies – 30 Years after Jean-François Lyotard’s Analysisew Report on Knowledge

In the late 1970’ French philosopher Jean-François Lyotard wrote A report on Knowledge, research on ways how world’s most developed countries treat education, science, technology, research and development. Research was commissioned by Quebecan government’s University Council. The aim of the research was to determine nature and status of knowledge in modern society: what is the knowledge, how it is produced, organized and applied. Analysis was later published as Postmodern condition: A Report on Knowledge and is now seen as key on how late twentieth century societies treated knowledge and science. Our research project aims at repeating the Lyotard’s question in our time and as a result, to write “The New Report on Knowledge”. Last 30 years brought major technological advance in speed and means of communication, possibilities of accessing the information and development of Internet technologies.

Research has led to important new insights in understanding the role of science in modern society. It is a highly interdisciplinary research, which connects researchers from the field of humanities and natural science, thus opening new horizons for interpretation of knowledge in our era.

Project could have direct impact on the educational system, universities, research organizations and institutes, on governmental decision-making within ministries for higher education and science. Indirect impact of the project for society is in accessing foreign knowledge, new possibilities for planning in science policy and Slovenian contribution in European science policy.