Modernity gave us, above all, a way to orient ourselves. Ahead of us lay progress and a growing emancipation from Nature, behind us archaism and backwardness. However, according to French philosopher Bruno Latour (1947 – 2022), Modernity is coming to an end. To follow its course any further will mean to exit the habitable Earth entirely. How do we leave Modernity’s trajectory and land here on Earth?

In this reading group, we will explore the work of Bruno Latour. He is well known for his studies of science and technology. In recent years, Latour shifted to writing about various ways to react to the destruction of climate and ecosystems. He helped popularise the concept of the Anthropocene as well as Gaia, and coined the Parliament of Things. Latour has always looked for interdisciplinarity and his work inspired exhibitions, theatrical plays, and novels. In consonance with the RADIUS 2023 year programme on NATURECULTURES, the reading circle seeks to dig deeper into the philosophical and material divides between nature and culture through Latour’s work, while paying homage to his influence in art, science and ecology studies. 

The circle will have mandatory reading of one or two texts per session (30–40 pages). Texts will include essays and book chapters by Latour, as well as an occasional second author (e.g. René Descartes, Martin Heidegger, Donna Haraway, Isabelle Stengers, Eduardo Viveiros de Castro). Throughout the sessions, the circle will also count with guest philosophers and artists. 

The reading circle will be hosted and moderated by Tjesse Riemersma (1993). Riemersma is a writer, journalist and philosopher. He studied artificial intelligence and philosophy at University of Groningen. He worked as philosophy critic for Trouw, as correspondent Wadden Sea, and as interim chief editor for Noorderbreedte, a Dutch magazine on landscape, ecology and identity.

AGENDA

PART ONE — REWRITING MODERNITY

SESSION 1: We have never been Modern (May 28)
On Modernity, the Enlightenment, the bifurcation of nature and the arrow of progress

SESSION 2: The sciences (June 25)
How do the sciences reference the world?

SESSION 3: Technical mediation and black boxes (August 27)
On actor-networks and scripts

PART TWO — HYBRIDS AND MONSTERS

SESSION 4: Rethinking the subject (September 24)
On attachments and belonging

SESSION 5: Love your monsters (October 29)
On emancipation and staying with our monstrous creations
This session is rescheduled to take place on 24 March 2024

SESSION 6: The parliament of things (November 26)
On politics, the sciences and making things public

PART THREE — REORIENTING IN THE ANTHROPOCENE

SESSION 7: Facing Gaia (December 17)
On the ‘ticklish’ Gaia and animism

SESSION 8: We don’t seem to live on the same planet (January 28)
On the concept of worlds 

SESSION 9: Where do we land? (February 25)
On orientation in the Critical Zone and Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climatic Regime, with special guest Clémence Seurat.

REPRISE PART TWO — HYBRIDS AND MONSTERS

SESSION 5: Love your monsters (March 24)
On emancipation and staying with our monstrous creations

INFORMATION

Number of sessions
⌀ 9 sessions, 120 minutes each

Dates
⌀ May 28, June 25, August 27, September 24, October 29, November 26, December 17, January 28, February 25

Start and duration
⌀ 16:00 – 18:00

Main language
⌀ English

Partner
⌀ Institut français des Pays-Bas

Price
⌀ €150 for a full circle subscription (12 places in total), €20 for a single session ticket (limited availability of 5 places per session)

Location
⌀ Sessions will be held at RADIUS in Delft (no online streaming)
Address: Water Tower (Alpha), Kalverbos 22, 2611 XW, Delft

⌀ Please note that the location is not wheelchair accessible