The DECAY of Merton’s scientific norms and the new academic ethos

This article provides a conceptual reformulation of Merton’s scientific ethos widely known by the acronym CUDOS (i.e. communism, universalism, disinterestedness and organised scepticism). While Merton perceived threat to autonomy science as coming from outside walls academe, mainly in form nationalism racism, subsequent rise neoliberalism global market forces means that is being undermined largely within university itself, leading DECAY differentialism, egoism, capitalism advocacy) CUDOS. The STEM-ification humanities social sciences academic community has led post-academic ethos. manifests itself professional pragmatism with academics facing both ways at same time remaining committed Mertonian norms theory but needing adapt performative demands new set institutional prevails practice.