2024 #3, Juan Acevedo (CIUHCT, ERC Rutter Project), "Science & World Philologies: A Match Made in the Nine Heavens"

Abstract

This talk will elaborate on the relation between philology and theoretical and applied science. That is, we will consider a timeless critical approach to the world classics, through an exacting training in slow reading, and the timeless attempt to make sense of reality and to get to grips it that we call science and technology. We will speak of Sanskrit, Chinese and Arabic texts, and cultural factors in our globalised age will be given their due importance. No punches will be spared from either side, and all are invited to join a lively discussion.

About the speaker

With a BA in Classics from the Universidad de Los Andes (Venezuela), Juan Acevedo developed a career as a translator, publisher, and multilingual typesetter in Comparative Religion and Islamic Studies in the UK. In 2018 he got his PhD from the Warburg Institute, with a thesis on alphanumeric cosmology, drawing from sources in Greek, Latin, Arabic and Hebrew. With the Rutter project, he is tracking and examining early Arabic sources relating to Oceanic navigation, while keeping an eye on the cosmological and epistemological aspects of 16th century maritime developments.

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