Knowledge Hegemonies in the Early Modern World Sources and Interpretations



Knowledge Hegemonies in the Early Modern World Sources and Interpretations

open access | peer reviewed

Aims & Scope

This series is devoted to the social-cultural study of early modern knowledge cultures (ca.1450-1750). It promotes studies that highlight the importance of science as a collective praxis, understood as a contested field informed by political, philosophical and confessional struggles for cultural hegemony, and in connection with social and economic interests. In how far did political antagonisms, ideological struggles, and religious tensions hinder scientific development or underpin it? How did the modern construction of identity along confessional, linguistic, and political lines affect the ethos and epistemic values of the sciences? The goal of our series is to publish source-based studies that combine the online presentation of historical sources with accompanying critical monographs.

Permalink doi.org | e-ISSN 2724-1572 | ISSN 2724-1394 | Language en, it |

Copyright This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Latest published volume

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  • The Trial Against Atheism in Naples (1688-1697)
  • Chronology and Documentation
  • Leendert Spruit
  • Dec. 13, 2024
  • In the period between 1688 and 1697 Naples was the stage of a large-scale inquisitorial trial against a group of intellectuals accused of atomism and atheism. The documentation presented here reveals that ‘atomism’ was used as both an ideological and defamatory label. The introduction and spread of modern scientific and philosophical ideas in Naples was in fact linked to a broader cultural renewal. ‘Atomism’ was thus used as a rallying cry by liberals, and viewed by their adversaries as a convenient doctrine to attack. Eventually, the Inquisition not only succeeded in preserving the practice of regular inquisitorial activities within the Kingdom but also established a precedent through a series of imprisonments and abjurations. This precedent served as a cautionary measure and deterrent against those engaged in innovative research endeavours.