Hume's Sceptical Materialism. The early modern period is the decisive period in shaping the modern outlook, but its major figures are not well understood in Australia. This project will enable a broader and more unified understanding of the intellectual movements of the period (showing Hume to be not an intellectual outsider but someone offering a sceptical version of the radical Enlightenment) - and so will enable a better understanding of our intellectual heritage.
Science and the Shaping of Modernity, 1690-1755. It is important that we understand the values underlying our culture, and one form of such understanding is historical. The idea that science provides the standards for all forms of cognitive enquiry is an intrinsic part of modern culture, and the notions of impartiality and objectivity that it is taken to express are closely tied in with estimations of the value of our culture. The history of how this conception emerged in the early-modern period ....Science and the Shaping of Modernity, 1690-1755. It is important that we understand the values underlying our culture, and one form of such understanding is historical. The idea that science provides the standards for all forms of cognitive enquiry is an intrinsic part of modern culture, and the notions of impartiality and objectivity that it is taken to express are closely tied in with estimations of the value of our culture. The history of how this conception emerged in the early-modern period shows that there was nothing self-evident in the assimilation of cognitive values to scientific ones, however, or in the extrapolation of these to general cultural and political values. Read moreRead less
The persona of the philosopher in early modern Europe. The project aims to provide a new interpretation of the history of early modern European philosophy, organised around the key concept of the persona of the philosopher. By focusing on the shaping and reshaping of the philosophical persona - understood as a self cultivated for the purposes of conducting philosophical life and learning - the project will offer novel and fundamental insights into conflicts over the character of philosophy, its ....The persona of the philosopher in early modern Europe. The project aims to provide a new interpretation of the history of early modern European philosophy, organised around the key concept of the persona of the philosopher. By focusing on the shaping and reshaping of the philosophical persona - understood as a self cultivated for the purposes of conducting philosophical life and learning - the project will offer novel and fundamental insights into conflicts over the character of philosophy, its disciplinary borders, its relation to the new scientific enterprises of the era, and its relation to civil and religious life.Read moreRead less
A history of terra nullius. The concept of 'terra nullius' has been central to debates concerning the land rights of indigenous peoples. The term, however, has been understood almost in an historical vacuum. Partly in consequence, landmark legal rulings supposedly overturning the doctrine of terra nullius have left European colonisers' justifications of their appropriation of land largely conceptually intact. The central innovation of this history will be to show that when terra nullius, prop ....A history of terra nullius. The concept of 'terra nullius' has been central to debates concerning the land rights of indigenous peoples. The term, however, has been understood almost in an historical vacuum. Partly in consequence, landmark legal rulings supposedly overturning the doctrine of terra nullius have left European colonisers' justifications of their appropriation of land largely conceptually intact. The central innovation of this history will be to show that when terra nullius, properly understood, is rejected in order to establish native title, the implications for the European tradition of property rights and human rights more generally will be profound.Read moreRead less
State formation and European expansion. There is a direct national benefit from this research. The aim of an intellectual history of colonisation is to provide an account of what Europeans engaged in expansion understood themselves to be doing. This account explores the justifications and political motivations for expansion and is accordingly of fundamental importance to contemporary legal debates over dispossession and the larger legacy of colonisation.
Isaac Newton's Temple of Solomon and his analysis of sacred architecture: An interpretation and discussion of Babson Manuscript 0434. Babson Manuscript is an important Newtonian manuscript that contains significant cross disciplinary ideas. It requires a multi-disciplinary understanding and skills for its detailed evaluation. Interpretation and analysis of this significant Newtonian manuscript will advance Newtonian scholarship and will be a valuable resource for researchers of architectural his ....Isaac Newton's Temple of Solomon and his analysis of sacred architecture: An interpretation and discussion of Babson Manuscript 0434. Babson Manuscript is an important Newtonian manuscript that contains significant cross disciplinary ideas. It requires a multi-disciplinary understanding and skills for its detailed evaluation. Interpretation and analysis of this significant Newtonian manuscript will advance Newtonian scholarship and will be a valuable resource for researchers of architectural history. This project has both academic and public outcomes. Recently there has been an increased interest in what is commonly perceived as 'ancient wisdom.' Solomon's Temple is one of the most revered ancient symbols. This project will make the history and ideas of this symbol more accessible to the publicRead moreRead less
An intellectual history of theoretical innovation in the Anglo-American Humanities. This project makes an important contribution to the debate over humanities education. Post-structuralist theory in the humanities is attacked by some as modish and lacking in values, and defended by others as supporting critical reflection and progressive political and ethical values. The project explores the degree to which the 'moment of theory' represents the return of earlier European university metaphysics t ....An intellectual history of theoretical innovation in the Anglo-American Humanities. This project makes an important contribution to the debate over humanities education. Post-structuralist theory in the humanities is attacked by some as modish and lacking in values, and defended by others as supporting critical reflection and progressive political and ethical values. The project explores the degree to which the 'moment of theory' represents the return of earlier European university metaphysics to the centre of the humanities curriculum. The project will study these shifts in theory in the humanities and show these to be highly relevant to contemporary debates about teaching and learning.Read moreRead less
The origins of scientific experimental practices: from the anatomical theatre to the conversations of the Royal Society. This research will offer new insight into the emergence of scientific empiricism, and will thus provide an important contribution towards informed public discussion concerning science education, the relations between the sciences and between science and general culture. This discussion is incumbent on us in our quest for a knowledge-based economy and a proper place in an incr ....The origins of scientific experimental practices: from the anatomical theatre to the conversations of the Royal Society. This research will offer new insight into the emergence of scientific empiricism, and will thus provide an important contribution towards informed public discussion concerning science education, the relations between the sciences and between science and general culture. This discussion is incumbent on us in our quest for a knowledge-based economy and a proper place in an increasingly competitive world of science-led industry `and commerce. Australia enjoys a prime international position in history and philosophy of science scholarship, and in the field of seventeenth century science in particular. This project will maintain and enhance this position.Read moreRead less
Modelling Nervous Systems, 1880-1930: Debates over Choice of Materials and Techniques in the Correlation of Form and Function. This project will examine key scientific research programs in the history of the neurosciences in the transitional period 1880-1930 in order to explore the models, methodologies, and material techniques that were the foundation for the most influential theories. Several major figures will serve as anchors for the study, providing insight into the contentious debates as ....Modelling Nervous Systems, 1880-1930: Debates over Choice of Materials and Techniques in the Correlation of Form and Function. This project will examine key scientific research programs in the history of the neurosciences in the transitional period 1880-1930 in order to explore the models, methodologies, and material techniques that were the foundation for the most influential theories. Several major figures will serve as anchors for the study, providing insight into the contentious debates as well as the often unstated basic agreements that occurred across a range of disciplinary, social, and national boundaries to examine the roots of what neuroscience is today.Read moreRead less
Modelling Nervous Systems, 1880-1930: Debates over Choice of Materials and Techniques in the Correlation of Form and Function. This project will examine key scientific research programs in the history of the neurosciences in the transitional period 1880-1930, in order to explore the models, methodologies, and material techniques that were the foundation for the most influential theories. Several major figures will serve as anchors for the study, providing insight into the contentious debates as ....Modelling Nervous Systems, 1880-1930: Debates over Choice of Materials and Techniques in the Correlation of Form and Function. This project will examine key scientific research programs in the history of the neurosciences in the transitional period 1880-1930, in order to explore the models, methodologies, and material techniques that were the foundation for the most influential theories. Several major figures will serve as anchors for the study, providing insight into the contentious debates as well as the often unstated basic agreements that occurred across a range of disciplinary, social, and national boundaries, in order to get to the core of what neuroscience is today.Read moreRead less