New Books in Critical Theory Peter Burke, "Ignorance: A Global History" (Yale UP, 2024)
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Feb 14, 2025 Peter Burke, Emeritus Professor of Cultural History at the University of Cambridge, delves into the multifaceted nature of ignorance throughout history. He discusses how arrogance in warfare has led to humbling defeats and the critical role of misinformation today. Burke highlights the interplay between science and religion, revealing how both have historically shaped and perpetuated ignorance. He also explores how skepticism can challenge accepted beliefs, ultimately showing how understanding ignorance can ignite inquiry and progress.
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Shift in Focus to Problems
- Peter Burke, a cultural historian, shifted his focus to studying problems instead of periods after retirement.
- His book "Ignorance: A Global History" examines how ignorance has changed over time.
Sequel and Inverted Approach
- "Ignorance" is a sequel to Burke's previous works on the history of knowledge, offering a new perspective.
- It explores the absence of knowledge, turning his previous approach upside down.
Defining and Categorizing Ignorance
- Ignorance is defined as the absence of knowledge, challenging the notion of constructing ignorance.
- Burke categorizes ignorance into three types: simple, wanting not to know, and preventing others from knowing.
