The Formation and Development of Chinese Philosophy as an Academic Discipline in Twentieth Century China. It is in Australia's national interest to pay close attention to the orientation of intellectual and political currents in China and to how these currents are increasingly merging and interacting. This project will enhance our capacity to interpret and engage with our regional environment by contributing to a clearer understanding of the changing relationship between Chinese intellectual tra ....The Formation and Development of Chinese Philosophy as an Academic Discipline in Twentieth Century China. It is in Australia's national interest to pay close attention to the orientation of intellectual and political currents in China and to how these currents are increasingly merging and interacting. This project will enhance our capacity to interpret and engage with our regional environment by contributing to a clearer understanding of the changing relationship between Chinese intellectual traditions and cultural identity. A commitment to understanding what Chinese philosophy means to China's educated elite also demonstrates a willingness to foster dialogue and communication that is sensitive to the intellectual and cultural traditions which are a source of pride and identity for several of our major regional partners. Read moreRead less
Assimilating Modernity: The Harmonisation of Liberal, Socialist and Conservative Thought in Modern China, 1921-1949. The project will enable Australian policy makers to understand the way in which Chinese intellectuals grappled with the issue of modernity and questions about liberalism, socialism and conservatism in the recent past. This is important because the Chinese elites are tackling similar issues today as they face the challenges of globalisation. Knowing the role of China's public intel ....Assimilating Modernity: The Harmonisation of Liberal, Socialist and Conservative Thought in Modern China, 1921-1949. The project will enable Australian policy makers to understand the way in which Chinese intellectuals grappled with the issue of modernity and questions about liberalism, socialism and conservatism in the recent past. This is important because the Chinese elites are tackling similar issues today as they face the challenges of globalisation. Knowing the role of China's public intellectuals and their way of thinking, both past and present, is critical to a further strengthening of Australia's relations with China. The project will benefit the wider community as Australians interact and deal with the Chinese intellectually and culturally, as well as in trade, politics, diplomacy and tourism.
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A Cultural History of Information: Lessons from the Enlightenment. The significance of this project is that it places the idea of 'information explosion' in historical perspective. In early modern Europe (circa 1600-1800) there were already anxieties about 'the multitude of books', the expansion of the sciences, and threats to the ideal of a rounded education. The attempted solutions, such as the use of commonplace books, journals, encyclopaedias and library catalogues, emerged as responses duri ....A Cultural History of Information: Lessons from the Enlightenment. The significance of this project is that it places the idea of 'information explosion' in historical perspective. In early modern Europe (circa 1600-1800) there were already anxieties about 'the multitude of books', the expansion of the sciences, and threats to the ideal of a rounded education. The attempted solutions, such as the use of commonplace books, journals, encyclopaedias and library catalogues, emerged as responses during the Enlightenment, and subsequently became part of our current system of information management. Outcomes will include a scholarly book and another which links earlier problems and responses to current debates.Read moreRead less
Descartes' Ontology of Everyday Life. Australia has a strong international reputation in philosophy and the history of philosophy. This project will contribute to our standing in the international community of scholars and to the teaching of Australian students in the historical origins of contemporary ideas and problems. It will furthermore contribute to the growing recognition of early modern interdisciplinary studies within Australia by drawing on ideas from the history of science, early mode ....Descartes' Ontology of Everyday Life. Australia has a strong international reputation in philosophy and the history of philosophy. This project will contribute to our standing in the international community of scholars and to the teaching of Australian students in the historical origins of contemporary ideas and problems. It will furthermore contribute to the growing recognition of early modern interdisciplinary studies within Australia by drawing on ideas from the history of science, early modern philosophy, medieval philosophy and the history of early modern thought and ideas.Read moreRead less
The rise of empiricism and the attempt to produce a unified understanding of the world, 1680-1750. Empiricism is often regarded as the characterising feature of modern scientific method, and, in those approaches to psychology and the social and economic sciences that seek to model themselves on successful scientific practice in the physical and life sciences, it often acts as a model of good practice. The project examines the original form of empiricism and shows how it was able to directly enga ....The rise of empiricism and the attempt to produce a unified understanding of the world, 1680-1750. Empiricism is often regarded as the characterising feature of modern scientific method, and, in those approaches to psychology and the social and economic sciences that seek to model themselves on successful scientific practice in the physical and life sciences, it often acts as a model of good practice. The project examines the original form of empiricism and shows how it was able to directly engage questions of value in a novel and revealing way, and how its connection with 'hard' sciences was not merely to provide a methodological gloss on these, but went to the core of what scientific explanation consisted in.Read moreRead less
The Baroque in Architectural Culture, 1880-1980. This project will show the significance of historical architecture in the present day, and lead to better understanding of the cultural role of building. It will enhance the reputation of Australian research on the architectural history of early modern Europe, and on issues of historical method. It will train emerging researchers and develop a research environment for further research on this field. The project will foster international connection ....The Baroque in Architectural Culture, 1880-1980. This project will show the significance of historical architecture in the present day, and lead to better understanding of the cultural role of building. It will enhance the reputation of Australian research on the architectural history of early modern Europe, and on issues of historical method. It will train emerging researchers and develop a research environment for further research on this field. The project will foster international connections and collaborations and support the publication of internationally relevant research.Read moreRead less
Memory, notebooks and archives: making early modern science. What information should be memorized? To what extent should we rely on looking things up? Striking the proper balance between what we retain in memory and what is best checked in books, databases or archives is a preoccupation in public discussion. The project gives this issue an historical perspective, showing how priorities have changed from an emphasis on memory and personal notebooks to an acceptance of retrieval from external sour ....Memory, notebooks and archives: making early modern science. What information should be memorized? To what extent should we rely on looking things up? Striking the proper balance between what we retain in memory and what is best checked in books, databases or archives is a preoccupation in public discussion. The project gives this issue an historical perspective, showing how priorities have changed from an emphasis on memory and personal notebooks to an acceptance of retrieval from external sources. Focussing on the period of the Scientific Revolution, it contributes to the understanding of our early modern European heritage - a field in which Australian scholars have a strong reputation.
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Saving the Appearances: Vision and Reason in the European Enlightenment. My proposal introduces a fresh perspective on the 18th century by defining vision and reason as cognate concepts. The complex dialogue relating to perception and knowledge established in this partnership turns mechanical reason into an ideal by the 17th century. By the 18th century, however, a new conception of vision emerges. Under the banner of 'Aufklarung' in Germany, an audacious attempt to end the separation of the sci ....Saving the Appearances: Vision and Reason in the European Enlightenment. My proposal introduces a fresh perspective on the 18th century by defining vision and reason as cognate concepts. The complex dialogue relating to perception and knowledge established in this partnership turns mechanical reason into an ideal by the 17th century. By the 18th century, however, a new conception of vision emerges. Under the banner of 'Aufklarung' in Germany, an audacious attempt to end the separation of the sciences and the arts is undertaken. Analysing archival materials relating to the 18th century, the proposal seeks to correct misconceptions about the nature and extent of the movement of "enlightenment" in Europe. Read moreRead less
John Locke, botany and natural kinds. This project will enhance the status of research into early modern science and philosophy in Australia. It is a project of major significance in Locke studies and in the history of botany and it will impinge on a number of current philosophical debates to which Australians are already making a major contribution: the nature of biological species; natural kinds; and scientific method. Those who work on early modern thought in Australia will also benefit from ....John Locke, botany and natural kinds. This project will enhance the status of research into early modern science and philosophy in Australia. It is a project of major significance in Locke studies and in the history of botany and it will impinge on a number of current philosophical debates to which Australians are already making a major contribution: the nature of biological species; natural kinds; and scientific method. Those who work on early modern thought in Australia will also benefit from the close relationship that will be established between the University of Sydney and Oxford University. The publications issuing from the project will be of international significance.Read moreRead less
A History of Women's Political Thought in Europe 1700-1800. This research will contribute to Australia's reputation for innovative scholarship on women and feminism and foster the development of models of active female citizenship and political participation by deepening our knowledge and understanding of the contribution that women made to political philosophy in the pre-revolutionary period.