Dilthey and Darwin Combined? 19th Century Geisteswissenschaft for 21st Century Cultural Science

Abstract

This paper explores the relevance of Dilthey’s conceptualisation of the ‘Geisteswissenschaften’ (human sciences) for Cultural Science. In a nutshell, I argue that Cultural Science is Dilthey plus Darwin. In this effort, I define the Geisteswissenschaften as ‘performative sciences’: Taking economics as an example, I show that the Geisteswissenschaften are sciences which are ontologically productive in creating and performing the object of their research. That means, they are inherently normative since they entail critical reflexivity as a major mode of research. Following Dilthey, Geisteswissenschaften are deeply historical, which implies that their disciplinary structure is evolving together with their objects. Therefore, I argue that the 19th century division of disciplines needs to be thoroughly overhauled in the 21st century, including the division between economics and sociology, which is a left-over from 19th century nation-state development. New disciplines, with Cultural Science and Technosphere Science as prime examples, must be established to cope with the challenges of our times: where human agency, culture and technology have blurred long-established boundaries separating nature, culture and society; where identity and meaning have become global, fluid, contested and reflexive phenomena; and where nature (the environment) and culture (cities) are inextricably interrelated in the dynamics of the emergent Anthropocene system.

How We Use Stories and Why That Matters

“…He wrote: 'The approach I want to describe is that of cultural studies, which is English for "cultural science".' Williams was translating the German term Kulturwissenschaft, associated with philosophy (Simmel, Cassirer), history and anthropology (Dilthey), sociology (Weber) and art history (Warburg, Gombrich) (Herrmann-Pillath, 2018). Thus, for Williams, the first theorist of 'British' cultural studies (Turner, 2003), cultural science came first.…”

“…The particular effort of which this volume is a part commenced in 2008 under the title of 'cultural science' (version 2.0). With Carsten Herrmann-Pillath (2013), it seeks for culture a 'scientific approach that aims at establishing truthful propositions about reality' -and at finding ways for humans to perform themselves and their knowledge in the face of those facts (Herrmann-Pillath, 2018).…”