In the book Conversation: A History of a Declining Art, Stephen Miller pursues a lifelong interest in conversation by taking a historical and philosophical view of the subject. He chronicles the art of conversation in Western civilization from its beginnings in ancient Greece to its apex in eighteenth-century Britain to its current endangered state in … Continue reading Conversation: A History of a Declining Art Stephen Miller (2007)
In “The Concept of Conversation,” David Randall argues conversation, often overlooked in history, profoundly shaped early modern Europe. He reveals how it transformed from elite philosophical discourse to encompass friendship, salons, the press, and even women’s voices. Challenging Habermas’s view, Randall sees conversation, not just rational public debate, as central to intellectual progress, with women … Continue reading The Concept of Conversation: From Cicero’s Sermo to the Grand Siecle’s Conversation David Randall (2019)
Knowledge Revolutions Enlightenment 2.0 Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The Enlightenment, known as the “Age of Reason,” was a profound intellectual exploration in the 17th and 18th centuries. It challenged traditional authority by advocating reason, freedom, and secular governance. This shift in thought laid the groundwork for modern political and social structures, emphasizing … Continue reading The Enlightenment The Age of Reason
Death Café The London Coffeehouses of the Enlightenment Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Terminology First, let’s consider the terminology. People have gathered in various settings for conversation and social interaction throughout history. These settings include coffeehouses, salons, clubs, and, even in ancient times, around campfires. There is a need for a generic term … Continue reading Introduction: Conversational Spaces Meeting places for conversations
British Gentlemen’s Clubs ** Viennese Coffeehouses ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In the 17th and 18th centuries, salons flourished in Paris, Vienna, and the rest of Europe. Salons were social gatherings hosted in private homes, usually by prominent women, in which men and women engaged in intellectual conversation in pursuit of knowledge. … Continue reading Salons A gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host
