Conference MOHXII
The Structure of Humanistic Revolution:
A Critical Examination of Transformations
in the History of the Humanities
Under the title "The Structure of Humanistic Revolution," this conference will critically explore the transformations that have shaped the history of the humanities. Drawing inspiration from Thomas Kuhn's seminal work "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," we will engage in a reflective analysis of how "revolutions" within humanistic disciplines have been conceptualized, contested, and institutionalized over time.
Kuhn's framework was famously anchored in the "Copernican Revolution," where Nicolaus Copernicus' heliocentric theory radically shifted humanity's understanding of the universe. This paradigm shift became central to Kuhn's theory of how scientific revolutions occur. In the context of the humanities, however, the nature of revolutions demands a more critical reading. Can we apply Kuhn's concept of paradigm shifts to the history of the humanities, or do the transformations in this domain follow a different, more fragmented, and culturally situated trajectory?
While Copernicus' work symbolizes a clean break from previous models in the natural sciences, revolutions in the humanities often involve the reworking of intellectual traditions, the reinterpretation of established knowledge, and the infusion of new cultural and social dynamics. This conference will interrogate these differences, critically reflecting on how humanistic revolutions have been structured and whether they can truly be called "revolutions" in the Kuhnian sense.
Thematic Scope
Traditionally, revolutions in the humanities have been identified through epochal movements—from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment and from Romanticism to contemporary post-humanism. But what are the "structures" that underpin these transformations? Can we even speak of unified revolutions in the history of the humanities, or are these shifts more nuanced, gradual, and contested than the revolutionary label suggests?
This conference will challenge the idea of straightforward revolutions, proposing instead a critical investigation into the following themes:
- Epistemic Shifts and Paradigms in the History of the Humanities: How have different periods of humanistic inquiry—whether in philosophy, history, literature, or art—been reshaped by new ways of knowing? Can we speak of paradigm shifts in the humanities like Kuhn describes for the sciences, or do changes occur through more dialogic, incremental, and even resistant processes?
- Technological Disruptions and the Humanities: Technological advancements have undoubtedly influenced the dissemination and production of humanistic knowledge, from the invention of the printing press to the rise of digital humanities. Yet, how do these technological shifts interact with the interpretative and often non-linear nature of the humanities? Does technology revolutionize the humanities or merely augment existing traditions?
- Institutional and Educational Transformations: The history of the humanities is deeply intertwined with the development of universities, academic societies, and educational systems. How have these institutions acted as both enablers and gatekeepers of intellectual change? How do we critically assess their role in preserving and challenging dominant narratives?
- Global and Cross-Cultural Encounters: The exchange of ideas across cultures has historically played a significant role in humanistic development, from the rediscovery of classical texts in the Islamic world to the influence of Asian philosophies on Western thought. But how do these cross-cultural interactions complicate the notion of a singular, revolutionary trajectory in the humanities? Can we identify shared revolutions, or do multiple, divergent revolutions coexist and challenge each other?
- The Humanities in Society: Reaction and Resilience: The humanities often respond to societal crises—whether political, cultural, or ecological. But how do the humanities themselves undergo crisis and transformation? Is the role of the humanities in shaping social change revolutionary in its impact, or does it operate through more subtle, continuous engagements with the structures of power and knowledge?
- Copernicus and the Structure of Revolutions: Nicolaus Copernicus, whose heliocentric theory marked a foundational moment in the history of scientific thought, stands at the heart of Thomas Kuhn's reflections on revolutionary change. For Kuhn, the Copernican Revolution exemplified the paradigm shift that overturns established ways of thinking, leading to a profound reorganization of knowledge. But does the history of the humanities have a similar figure or event that signifies such a radical break?
In many ways, revolutions in the humanities do not mirror the scientific model, where falsification and empirical shifts drive change. Instead, they often represent the reconfiguration of long-standing intellectual traditions shaped by cultural dialogues, crises, and the reinterpretation of past knowledge. By drawing attention to Copernicus' legacy in the humanities, this conference will explore how revolutions in humanistic thought might differ from those in scientific inquiry. Can the humanities undergo the same paradigm shifts, or are they inherently resistant to such sweeping changes?
We invite participants to join us in exploring these critical questions, contributing to a deeper understanding of how revolutions in the history of the humanities have unfolded and how they continue to shape our intellectual landscape today.