Of what is History capable?

Inaugural Lecture delivered on Thursday 17 December 2015

Nonfiction, History, Western Europe, Renaissance, Medieval
Cover of the book Of what is History capable? by Patrick Boucheron, Collège de France
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Patrick Boucheron ISBN: 9782722605015
Publisher: Collège de France Publication: November 20, 2018
Imprint: Collège de France Language: English
Author: Patrick Boucheron
ISBN: 9782722605015
Publisher: Collège de France
Publication: November 20, 2018
Imprint: Collège de France
Language: English

We need history because we need rest: a pause to rest our consciousness, so that the possibility of a consciousness may remain – as the seat not only of thought, but of practical reason, affording full latitude for action. Saving the past, saving time from the frenzy of the present: the poets devote themselves to this with exactitude. For this purpose we must work to weaken ourselves, to make ourselves idle, to make inoperative this endangering of temporality that wrecks experience and despises childhood. “Surprise the catastrophe”, said Victor Hugo. Or, as Walter Benjamin put it, throw oneself against the slow oncoming disaster that is more a continuation than a sudden rupture.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

We need history because we need rest: a pause to rest our consciousness, so that the possibility of a consciousness may remain – as the seat not only of thought, but of practical reason, affording full latitude for action. Saving the past, saving time from the frenzy of the present: the poets devote themselves to this with exactitude. For this purpose we must work to weaken ourselves, to make ourselves idle, to make inoperative this endangering of temporality that wrecks experience and despises childhood. “Surprise the catastrophe”, said Victor Hugo. Or, as Walter Benjamin put it, throw oneself against the slow oncoming disaster that is more a continuation than a sudden rupture.

More books from Collège de France

Cover of the book C. S. Peirce et le pragmatisme by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Les ressources minérales, enjeu majeur du développement durable by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Data Sciences: From First-Order Logic to the Web by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book The Informatics of Time and Events by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Ernest Renan : la science, la métaphysique, la religion et la question de leur avenir by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Geometries of the Living by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Le libre arbitre by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Les cornes de Moïse. Faire entrer la Bible dans l'histoire by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Des images médicales au patient numérique by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Communications cellulaires by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Face à l'irresponsabilité : la dynamique de la solidarité by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Le troisième monde by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Le droit européen a-t-il une histoire ? En a-t-il besoin ? by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Difference, Competition and Disproportion. The Sociology of Creative Work by Patrick Boucheron
Cover of the book Where is Medieval Philosophy going? by Patrick Boucheron
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy