LE RELAZIONI PERICOLOSE. FRAINTENDIMENTI, BEFFE E FALSI TRA SCIENZE E HUMANITIES

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to the debate about value of research attempts aimed at reinstating a fertile dialogue between science and humanities. Indeed, the complex relationships between the “two cultures” in the past century can be analysed through three relevant examples of the main “pathologies” which affected interdisciplinary studies: Bergson’s interpretation of the Theory of Relativity, Thom’s implementation of Catastrophe Theory on Linguistics, and Sokal’s hoax against a cultural studies journal. Rethink critical issues and underline analogies and differences should help avoiding errors and misunderstandings which may exacerbate the mutual incommunicability. My aim is to highlight the causes of the conflict (misunderstanding, misuses, ideology, and disciplinary interest) and to endorse the desirability of interdisciplinary studies if guided by intellectual honesty.

Keywords

• Humanities
• Sciences