MRG 2 "Spaces of Anthropological Knowledge: Production and Transfer"
Modern classifications and conceptualisations of the human are profoundly influenced by the life sciences. The discovery and medical application of X-rays and ultra-sound have made us imagine the inside of our bodies in shades of grey. Psychiatric diagnostics, psycho-metrics and neuro-imaging have influenced historical and contemporary visions of human mental life. Continuously, media, technologies and forms of epistemic writing have been introduced into this anthropological knowledge production resulting in ever-changing conceptualisations of what the human may be. Science, politics, industry, education, literature, libraries, textbooks and archives are among the various spaces in which anthropological knowledge production takes place.
The MERCATOR RESEARCH GROUP sheds light on these spaces of anthropological knowledge: it compares its inner and outer dynamics and interactions with various fields of cultural production today and in recent history. The production of anthropological knowledge, i.e. of mental processes, affects and emotions, learning and knowing is thereby placed in the midst of its contemporary culture. We inquire into the co-existences and circulations of classification schemes, narrative forms, literacy and literary techniques, image types, patterns of practice and forms of interactions of spaces of anthropological knowledge production, as representations and as practicalities. The interdisciplinary project combines approaches to the production and circulation of anthropological knowledge from the history of science, philosophy, literature studies, media studies and cultural psychology.