As humanidades e as ciências - dois modos de ver o mundo

Abstract

This article focus the topic of the separation and lack of harmony between the theories of Sciences and Humanities, which for centuries has divided both our society and the academic world. It also mentions the contemporary challenges the Humanities are facing, concluding that they are in a privileged position to grant a nowadays very necessary conscious knowledge of the history of ideas, the formation of identities and the creation of a common imaginary. References are also made to the increment of networks between researchers, the building of bridges with other sciences and the shattering of disciplinary barriers, concluding that there has been a contribution of the Digital Humanities, which stimulate mutual acknowledgment and help the crossing of linguistic and geographic frontiers. Another of the objectives of this essay is to analyze the epistemological rupture, the crisis of the paradigm of scientific rationality and to reevaluate the pertinence between knowledge and power. One can conclude that the social and economic forces, which were influenced by scientific knowledge, have contributed to institute the primacy of science. Thus when they traced the trajectory for the future, they did not consider any transforming possibilities that do not identify themselves with scientific knowledge and that ended the monopoly of science. When we reflect on our current world and look for solutions for its problems, we must abandon a mechanic, reductionist and linear paradigm for one that is dynamic, open and interdisciplinary. Among the several theorists who reflected on this topic, references are made to Bertrand Russell, Theodor Adorno, C. P. Snow, E. O. Wilson, Dorian Sagan and Paul Feyerabend. With the intent of promoting the Humanities, and of proving that the contemplation of great works of art from the past can make us reflect on scientific questions - and that, till the 17th century, art and science were united, as many painters then knew about optics, anatomy and natural sciences – the article ends with an evocation of the great Francisco de Holanda.