Science and modernity in brazil

constitution Of two historiographic trends in Science throughout the 20th century

Abstract

This article aims at presenting two currents in contemporary historiography of science in Brazil, against the backdrop of the debate on modernity. The first current, which is more in line with sociology of science, draws on the heritage of Fernando de Azevedo, having found new life in the work of Simon Schwartzman, among others. The second current identifies itself with the history of scientific institutions in Brazil. Both are representative of historiography of science's current approach to shifting its focus from epistemology to social history of science. The main difference between these currents lies in the fact that the first one focuses on identifying the obstacles posed by Brazilian society which hinder the country's scientific and technological development. As a counterpoint, the reflection on the history of scientific institutions in Brazil takes on a hermeneutic approach which considers scientific activity as one path to understanding social and cultural relations. From its inception, the debate on science in Brazil has been linked to projects aiming at adapting the nation to western modernity, as a way to overcome its colonial legacy.