The Power of Discourse in Conceptualization of the New Physics in the USSR

The theory of relativity and quantum mechanics in physics were formed at the beginning of the 20th century. The discussion of new physical theories in the USSR was holding under control of the official ideology of Marxism-Leninism. The official ideology represented by Marxist philosophers and some physicists was critical to the appearance of new physical theories. However, physicists, supporters of new physical theories, were able to resist the philosophers and their supporters. The authors of the article consider that the substantiation of the ideological acceptability of new physical theories has become possible as the supporters of new physics in the USSR used ideological means in the discussions with their opponents. In discussions among supporters and opponents of new physics the ideology was represented as discursive practice. The discourse defines the semantic structure of the language, the particular qualities of themes and the methods of argumentation. The discursive practice of the ideology of Marxism-Leninism defines the use of the concept of physical idealism in a negative sense. Supporters and opponents of new physics criticized each other using the accusation of physical idealism. As a result, the ideological argumentation of supporters of new physics was found to be more convincing.