The ‘Two Cultures’ debate of the 1960s between C.P. Snow and F.R. Leavis is one of the most misunderstood intellectual disputes of the 20th century. Most people think that the debate only revolved around the notion that our society is characterized by a divide between two cultures – the arts or humanities on one hand, and the sciences on the other.
The Two Cultures, Revisited is based on an extensive, filmed conversation between Howard Burton and University of Cambridge intellectual historian Stefan Collini which provides a careful examination and illuminating insights of what the issues really were in this debate.
This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Returning to the Source, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:
- Cultural Assumptions – On the benefits of reading
- Saving the World – C.P. Snow’s moral agenda
- “Literary Osteoporosis” – Scientists vs. “literary intellectuals”
- Into the Mainstream – Snow becomes a sage
- Enter F.R. Leavis – Questioning authority
- Combatting Clichés – The Industrial Revolution and challenging prose
- The Fallout – Immediate and longer-term effects
- Lessons Learned? – Examining Leavis’ impact
- What Are Universities For? – Appreciating unique strengths
- Constructive Engagement – Critical inquiry and watching one’s language
- The Humanities vs. The Sciences – Ruminations on progress
- General Implications – The ongoing relevance of The Two Cultures
Available in electronic format on all major booksellers, including:
The Two Cultures, Revisited is also part of the five-part Ideas Roadshow Collection, Conversations About The History of Ideas, which is available in hardcover, paperback and electronic format.
A one-hour video of this conversation is available on VOD, here. Stefan Collini is also also featured in 2 documentary-style compilations together with several other renowned researchers. Available on Ideas Roadshow’s digital resources platforms plus Kanopy and Boclips.
