The Labor of Science: Rethinking Histories of Knowledge, 1500-1850

August 26, 2024 by

The Labor of Science: Rethinking Histories of Knowledge, 1500-1850

// Presented by the UT Humanities Center

The seminar “The Labor of Science: Rethinking Histories of Knowledge, 1500-1850” delves into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the history of science: the role of labor, particularly that of marginalized groups such as enslaved individuals, women, and subaltern communities, in shaping scientific knowledge production within the early modern world. The seminar addresses the historiographical gap that tends to focus on the intellectual achievements of well known natural philosophers or scientists, while neglecting the laborious processes of experimentation, observation, translation, and other forms of knowledge production that involved a diverse array of actors.

One of the central issues this seminar aims to explore is the intersectionality of labor and knowledge production. Participants will investigate how slavery, women’s work, and subaltern voices contributed to scientific practices such as specimen collection, botanical illustration, translation of scientific texts, and other forms of what Simon Werrett has called “thrifty science”. By foregrounding these marginalized voices and practices, the seminar seeks to challenge traditional narratives of scientific progress that have often been marginalized or erased through historical neglect.

The research outcomes of the seminar will be multifaceted. Participants will produce individual research papers that highlight specific case studies or themes related to the seminar’s focus on labor and knowledge production. These papers will contribute to a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of the history of science, shedding light on the diverse practices and actors involved in scientific endeavors. Additionally, the seminar will hopefully culminate in a collaborative publication that synthesizes the seminar’s findings and amplifies the voices of marginalized groups engaged in the labor of knowledge and science. Our aim is that this publication will serve as a valuable resource for future scholars seeking to explore the intersections of labor, gender, race, and class in the history of science.