BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 X-WR-CALNAME;VALUE=TEXT:History Workshop, Work-In-Progress Seminar: Mattia Brancato, "Early Modern Science and Colonialism: A Philosophical Paradox" PRODID:-//Harvard events data//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:event_782746_0 SUMMARY:History Workshop, Work-In-Progress Seminar: Mattia Brancato, "Early Modern Science and Colonialism: A Philosophical Paradox" DESCRIPTION:

Abstract: In recent years, many efforts have been made to provide a deeper understanding of the religious and sociological aspects responsible for cultural appropriation and domination during the Colonial Era. However, few researchers have assessed the impact of early modern science on this issue. In this paper, I argue that a fundamental philosophical paradox affects our perception of what science should be and hinders an impartial approach to its history and relationship with Colonialism. On the one hand, as a practice accessible to anyone, we consider science universal and independent of cultural specifics. On the other hand, as a historical process, we view it as a unique byproduct of the Early Modern European cultural milieu. This latter view, taken to extremes, has fostered the belief that science could only be achieved within that European context, empowering its representatives, upon contact with other cultures, as bearers of superior knowledge. An exploration of early modern science and philosophy that considers their sociological and political origins could help us recognize and mitigate this fundamental bias.

LOCATION:Robbins Library, Emerson 211 STATUS:CONFIRMED DTSTART:20250226T183000Z DTEND:20250226T193000Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR