Science and Affect in Contemporary Literature
Bodies of Knowledge
1st Edition
Published on 14. November 2024
280 pages
978-1-350-42542-2 (ISBN)
Description
Moving from the micro world of quantum physics to the macro scales of earth science and ecology, this book considers how, in contemporary literature, affective experiences like desire, suffering, anxiety, and joy shape scientific persons, practices, and products.
This book brings into dialogue close readings of scientific writing and contemporary literary works by authors like Jeanette Winterson, Richard Powers, Hanya Yanagihara, Thalia Field, and Jenny Offill. Combining narrative and affect studies, it uses formal strategies such as moving metaphor, visceral or affective description, plot-level analogy, contraction, and rhythm to engage with western scientific epistemologies, which still tends towards the impassive, universal, and objective.
While each chapter focuses on a different field (or fields) of science, all foreground bodies-human and nonhuman-as a way of exploring knowledge production. Through close readings, the book argues that select 'scientific stories' raise important questions about how 'knowledge' is defined and who (and what) is invited into its processes of production.
This book brings into dialogue close readings of scientific writing and contemporary literary works by authors like Jeanette Winterson, Richard Powers, Hanya Yanagihara, Thalia Field, and Jenny Offill. Combining narrative and affect studies, it uses formal strategies such as moving metaphor, visceral or affective description, plot-level analogy, contraction, and rhythm to engage with western scientific epistemologies, which still tends towards the impassive, universal, and objective.
While each chapter focuses on a different field (or fields) of science, all foreground bodies-human and nonhuman-as a way of exploring knowledge production. Through close readings, the book argues that select 'scientific stories' raise important questions about how 'knowledge' is defined and who (and what) is invited into its processes of production.
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
10 bw illus
ISBN-13
978-1-350-42542-2 (9781350425422)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
12/2024
Bloomsbury Academic
€133.90
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Shannon Lambert is a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University, Belgium.
Content
Introduction
Chapter 1: Flicker and Sidestep
Chapter 2: Agents of Description
Chapter 3: Swarms and Networks
Chapter 4: Infowhelm and the Everyday
Chapter 5: Rhythms of Knowledge
Conclusion
Bibliography
Chapter 1: Flicker and Sidestep
Chapter 2: Agents of Description
Chapter 3: Swarms and Networks
Chapter 4: Infowhelm and the Everyday
Chapter 5: Rhythms of Knowledge
Conclusion
Bibliography
