Classical Nature : Natural History, Classical Humanism and the Value of Knowledge in Sweden, 1800-1850

• This article investigates attempts in the Swedish public and academic sphere to imbue natural history with humanistic values and to align its epistemological goals with those of classical study during the first half of the nineteenth century. By tracing the claims made by 21 naturalists in response to a proposal for a new school ordinance in 1818, the study demonstrates how natural history was linked to Bildung and mental development and that material and practical usefulness was downplayed in favor of moral values. The article argues that a knowledge regime favoring the humanities in general and classical study in particular informed Swedish and European societies at this time and thus underpinned the naturalists’ claim that the study of nature should be seen as part of classical education. The article concludes that natural history became a key component in the struggle between different forms of knowledge due to its malleability and that the knowledge regime was easily accepted and perpetuated among naturalists due to the fact that they were to a large degree humanists themselves. The findings suggest that the history of science needs to include the development and impact of the humanities in its overall narrative of the nineteenth century.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Historia (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- History (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

History of Humanities

History of Knowledge

Natural History

Classical Education

Two Cultures

History

historia

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)