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A 'Temple of Liberty'? Alexander von Humboldt and the French Revolution.

Annals of science·2024

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Humboldtian Science and Humboldt's science.

Andreas W Daum¹

¹State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, USA.

History of Science

|May 21, 2024

Summary

Humboldtian Science, a concept for comparative research, is clarified by distinguishing it from Alexander von Humboldt's actual practices. His science was individual and less precise than the concept implies.

Keywords:

Alexander von Humboldt Humboldtian Science biography exceptionalism historiography measurements metabiography precision

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Area of Science:

History of Science
Scientific Methodology

Background:

The concept of 'Humboldtian Science' is widely used in the historiography of science.
This concept is often associated with Alexander von Humboldt and his approach to comparative research across vast distances.

Purpose of the Study:

To clarify the heuristic concept of 'Humboldtian Science'.
To disentangle 'Humboldtian Science' from Alexander von Humboldt's actual scientific practices.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of the heuristic concept and Humboldt's individual research practices.
Historicization of Alexander von Humboldt's scientific work.

Main Results:

The concept of 'Humboldtian Science' presents an idealized model of research that does not fully align with Humboldt's own methods.
Humboldt's science was characterized by individual practices, epistemological insecurities, and an erratic writing style, defying the ideal of precision.
Historicizing Humboldt's science challenges his exceptionalism and singular status.

Conclusions:

Distinguishing 'Humboldtian Science' from 'Humboldt's science' is crucial for accurate historiography.
Encourages biographical approaches in the history of science, balancing generalizations with individual research styles.