CHAIRPERSON
Prof Prasenjit Duara, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.
ABSTRACT
Although modern science claims to deal with the universal laws of nature, its history has been notoriously Eurocentric, presenting its formulation, formalisation and professionalisation as being confined to a small handful of countries, curiously the same that colonised the world during the same period. This talk will review classical historiographical approaches to explaining this apparent paradox, before developing a global-historical perspective based on concrete examples of consequential innovations in the history of science, thus far told in purely European terms. It will thus bring to light the difference that a well-documented global perspective brings to the narrative of the history of science as compared with more conventional approaches, and contrast this perspective with other global approaches proposed by world historians in recent years.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Kapil Raj is Directeur d’études (Research Professor) at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris. His research questions the commonly-held assumption of the western origins of modern science. His book, Relocating Modern Science (2007), shows how the encounter and interaction between South Asian and European specialised practices, knowledge and skills led to the emergence of important parts of what are called the modern sciences. His has also co-edited The Brokered World: Go-Betweens and Global Intelligence, 1770-1820 (2009) and is currently finishing his next book on the urban and knowledge dynamics of Calcutta in the 18th century.
REGISTRATION
Admission is free. We would greatly appreciate if you RSVP Sharon via email: arios@nus.edu.sg
