#37 Dag Herbjørnsrud | A Different History of Ideas

From ResponsAbility - Dialogues on Practical Knowledge and Bildung in Professional Studies · 41:01

Show by Michael Noah Weiss & Guro Hansen Helskog

In this episode of the ResponsAbility Podcast, we welcome Dag Herbjørnsrud, Norwegian historian of ideas, author, and founder of the Center for Global and Comparative History of Ideas. Drawing on his work on global intellectual history, Dag challenges some of the dominant narratives through which philosophy, democracy, science, and European history have traditionally been understood.The conversation explores what it might mean to move beyond merely decolonizing knowledge towards reconstructing a genuinely global understanding of intellectual history. Dag introduces his approach of complexity, connection, and comparison, and discusses examples ranging from Ethiopian philosophy and ancient democratic traditions to Indian and Chinese thought. Along the way, he questions familiar assumptions such as that philosophy originated in Greece, democracy began in Athens, or European intellectual traditions developed largely independently from the rest of the world.The dialogue also turns to education and the responsibility of universities to reconsider the knowledge and historical narratives they pass on to students. Dag argues for renewed forms of broad, interdisciplinary education—such as an updated examen philosophicum—that could help students, including those in professional education, develop a more global and interconnected understanding of knowledge and intellectual history.00:01:01 – Origins of Herbjørnsrud’s global approach to intellectual history00:04:02 – Moving from decolonization to reconstruction of a global knowledge canon00:16:14 – Colonial myths: origins of democracy and European identity00:23:19 – The myth that Europeans have always been white00:30:33 – Origins of philosophy beyond ancient Greece00:37:09 – Reintroducing examen philosophicum and global knowledge in professional educationBetween Theory and Practice - Questions for Reflection:How might the insights from this dialogue inspire your own practice? The following questions are intended to inspire further inquiry, whether explored individually or in conversation with colleagues, students, or peers.Which assumptions, narratives, or “common knowledge” in your own field might deserve to be questioned or reconsidered when viewed from a more global and interconnected perspective?What responsibility do you have in your own professional or educational practice for broadening the perspectives and knowledge traditions that are heard, taught, and taken seriously—and what could you concretely do differently?Literature: Herbjørnsrud, D. (2024): Preface. In: Yaqob, Z. & Heywat, W.: The Hatata Inquiries: Two texts of Seventeenth-century African Philosophy from Ethiopia about Reason, the Creator, and Our Ethical Responsibilities. De Gruyter. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110781922-203 Herbjørnsrud, D. (2021): The Quest for a Global Age of Reason. Part I: Asia, Africa, the Greeks, and the Enlightenment Roots. In Dialogue and Universalism. 31 (3), 2021. Herbjørnsrud, D. (2021): TThe Quest for a Global Age of Reason. Part II: Cultural Appropriation and Racism in the Name of Enlightenment. In: Dialogue and Universalism. 31 (3), 2021. Herbjørnsrud, D. (2016): Globalkunnskap. Renessanse for en ny opplysningstid. Oslo: Scandinavian Academic Press. Herbjørnsrud, D. "Beyond decolonizing: global intellectual history and reconstruction of a comparative method," Global Intellectual History (papir 2021, online 2019 Herbjørnsrud, Dag og Stian Bromark: Blanke løgner, skitne sannheter, Tiden 2002, Cappelen Damm-pocket 2005

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