CES Summer School

Epistemologies of the South V

June 24 to July 2, 2019

Objectives

 In the light of the Epistemologies of the South, this course seeks to go beyond modern Eurocentric knowledge or, in the language of Epistemologies of the Southto go beyond abyssal thinking. Abyssal thinking is a metaphor coined by Boaventura de Sousa Santos on the hegemony of modern thought.


I.

Abyssal and post-abyssal thinking 

An imaginary line divides the world into the realm of “this side of the line” and the realm “on the other side the line” inhibiting co-presence. The other side, more than irrelevant, is produced as nonexistent. Overcoming abyssal thinking involves transforming absences in emergencies, ecology of knowledges, and intercultural translation. These epistemological instruments will be cornerstones of this Summer School and at the end, should be broadly understood by all.

II.

Transformative Knowledge

The global sharing of experiences, knowledges and projects for social transformation will crucially broaden the discussions and perspectives in a spirit of collective enrichment. The goal is for everyone,  trainers and trainees,  to leave transformed and enriched. The construction of a collective that will not wither by end of the ten days of the school, rather preserving in space and time, continuing its goals, will be highly encouraged. 

III.

Emancipatory Mapping of Social Struggles

Stemming from the challenge of ecology of knowledges, the School intends to build a more emancipatory mapping accommodating languages, stories, knowledges, options,  resistances and struggles typically excluded from the official narratives or classified as inferior and irrelevant. 

THE CHALLENGE IS BROAD: LEARN TO DREAM COLLECTIVELY AND TO EXPLORE THE UNSETTLING ALCHEMY OF ART, SCIENCE, AND STRUGGLE TOWARDS THE CREATION OF PROJECTS OF DEMOCRATISATION OF COGNITIVE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.