This article is dedicated to the structure of the boundaries of science within the context of the demarcation of scientific knowledge. The author examines the evolution of approaches to the «sharp vs. fuzzy boundaries» problem as part of the broader development of demarcation discourse in the philosophy of science. Particular attention is paid to a critical analysis of the potential of modern multi-criteria systems of demarcation assessment to support and justify a theoretical model of sharp boundaries for science. The paper outlines and explicates the key challenges associated with both the attempts to establish sharp boundaries (such as difficulties in finding universal criteria and «threshold values») and the acceptance of their fuzziness (the threat of conflation and relativization of demarcation categories).
philosophy of science, demarcation problem, boundaries of science, science and pseudoscience, multi-criteria approach, sharp and fuzzy boundaries.