How Much Knowledge is Worth Knowing? An American Intellectual Historian's Thoughts on the Geschichte des Wissens

This essay investigates the origins and assesses the advantages and disadvantages of the new field known as Wissensgeschichte from the perspective of an American intellectual historian. It argues that while some historians of science may be ready to embrace a new identity as historians of knowledge,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Berichte zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte 2019-09, Vol.42 (2-3), p.126-149
Main Author: Marchand, Suzanne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Foucauldian theory
Historians
History of medicine and histology
intellectual history
methods
terminology
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Summary:This essay investigates the origins and assesses the advantages and disadvantages of the new field known as Wissensgeschichte from the perspective of an American intellectual historian. It argues that while some historians of science may be ready to embrace a new identity as historians of knowledge, this terminology remains baggy and invites facile applications of Foucauldian theory. The essay concludes with the hope that the history of knowledge approach may instead open up new avenues for conversation and collaboration between historians of science and garden variety historians.
ISSN:0170-6233
1522-2365
DOI:10.1002/bewi.201900005