Qiyue Zhang

Silvia T. Zangrandi et al., eds. Scienza e follia: stravaganza ed eccezione. Alchimisti, maghi, scienziati eslegi nella letteratura e nella cultura contemporanea

Introduction

Silvia t. Zangrandi et al., eds. Scienza e follia: stravaganza ed eccezione. Alchimisti, maghi, scienziati eslegi nella letteratura e nella cultura contemporanea . Esplora il confine tra scienza e follia, analizzando alchimisti, maghi e scienziati "eslegi" nella letteratura e cultura contemporanea. Stravaganza ed eccezione.

Abstract

Review

Silvia T. Zangrandi et al.'s edited collection, "Scienza e follia: stravaganza ed eccezione. Alchimisti, maghi, scienziati eslegi nella letteratura e nella cultura contemporanea," presents a compelling and intellectually rich exploration of the complex intersection between scientific endeavor and perceived irrationality. The title itself signals an ambitious project dedicated to dissecting the cultural constructs of "science" and "madness" through the lens of "extravagance and exception." By focusing on figures such as alchemists, magicians, and "outlaw scientists," the volume promises to delve into individuals who operate at the fringes of established knowledge systems, challenging conventional boundaries within contemporary literature and culture. This thematic choice suggests a timely and incisive examination of how society defines and often demonizes intellectual deviance, positioning the work as a significant contribution to the broader discourse on knowledge, power, and perception. The collection's interdisciplinary scope, as implied by its engagement with both literature and culture, is poised to offer nuanced insights into the representation and reception of these unconventional figures. By examining "alchemists, magicians, and outlaw scientists," the editors likely aim to explore how these archetypes reflect societal anxieties about uncontrolled knowledge, ethical boundaries in research, or alternative epistemologies. The focus on "contemporary" contexts further suggests that the volume will address not just historical precedents but also the enduring resonance of these themes in modern narratives and cultural imagination. Such an approach could illuminate how our understanding of scientific progress continues to grapple with elements of the inexplicable, the rebellious, and the profoundly human tendency towards both rationality and its perceived antithesis. Ultimately, "Scienza e follia" appears to be an essential read for scholars across various disciplines, including literary studies, cultural history, the history of science, philosophy, and sociology. Its exploration of "stravaganza ed eccezione" within scientific pursuits and their cultural representation promises to provoke thought and encourage a critical re-evaluation of what constitutes legitimate knowledge and who is permitted to pursue it. The collection stands to make a valuable contribution by shedding light on the often-overlooked narratives of those who transgress scientific and societal norms, thereby enriching our understanding of science not as a monolithic entity, but as a fluid and culturally inflected human endeavor.

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