We Have Never Been ModernWith the rise of science, we moderns believe, the world changed irrevocably, separating us forever from our primitive, premodern ancestors. But if we were to let go of this fond conviction, Bruno Latour asks, what would the world look like? His book, an anthropology of science, shows us how much of modernity is actually a matter of faith. What does it mean to be modern? What difference does the scientific method make? The difference, Latour explains, is in our careful distinctions between nature and society, between human and thing, distinctions that our benighted ancestors, in their world of alchemy, astrology, and phrenology, never made. But alongside this purifying practice that defines modernity, there exists another seemingly contrary one: the construction of systems that mix politics, science, technology, and nature. The ozone debate is such a hybrid, in Latour’s analysis, as are global warming, deforestation, even the idea of black holes. As these hybrids proliferate, the prospect of keeping nature and culture in their separate mental chambers becomes overwhelming—and rather than try, Latour suggests, we should rethink our distinctions, rethink the definition and constitution of modernity itself. His book offers a new explanation of science that finally recognizes the connections between nature and culture—and so, between our culture and others, past and present. Nothing short of a reworking of our mental landscape. We Have Never Been Modern blurs the boundaries among science, the humanities, and the social sciences to enhance understanding on all sides. A summation of the work of one of the most influential and provocative interpreters of science, it aims at saving what is good and valuable in modernity and replacing the rest with a broader, fairer, and finer sense of possibility. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
able allow anthropology appear become believe Boyle Boyle's bring called causes citizens collectives common comparative connections construction continuous critical cultures define dimension discourse distinction Divide double effects entities everything existence explain facts finally follow force global guarantee hand Hobbes human hybrids idea immanence impossible intermediaries invented knowledge laboratory language laws less longer Marxism matter meaning mechanism mediation mobilization modern Constitution modern world multiplying Nature and Society networks never nonhumans nonmodern objects offer once past philosophy pole political possible postmoderns practice premoderns principle production proliferation pure purification quasi-objects question radical reality reason relations relativism remain representation represented scientific scientists separation Shapin simply single social speaking studies subjects symmetrical task things third transcendence translation turn understand universal vacuum Westerners