Project description
New meaning to medieval physiognomics
Issues related to human differences, race, gender, and stigmatisation have been debated since ancient times when several physiognomic theories (such is the case with Aristotle) addressed the ominous significance of various bodily dispositions. From the 15th to 17th centuries, in the context of Cartesian dualism, the mind-body connection had been revived and developed. Today, despite the increasing interest in Middle Ages philosophy, the related literature has remained forgotten. The EU-funded PHYSIOGNOMONICA project will study the importance of physiognomics in early modern philosophy and present its intrinsic interdisciplinarity by combining science and magic, human and animal differentiation, as well as the issues of gender and race in physiognomic theories.
Objective
My project aims to uncover the hitherto unrecognised centrality of physiognomics within early modern philosophy. Physiognomics is the theory, stemming from Aristotle and other ancient sources, that body and soul are connected in such a way that it is possible to gain access to the soul by learning to read bodily signs. Building on fresh interest in medieval physiognomy, the project focuses on the richest yet least-studied period for the development of the discipline: from the late 15th century, when physiognomic texts started to circulate in print, to the early 17th century, when Cartesian dualism reconceived the body-mind relationship. I will define the corpus of philosophical physiognomic literature, with special attention to Venice and Paris, two fulcrums of the revival, where the majority of my archival research will take place. The project’s objectives reflect the intrinsic interdisciplinarity of physiognomics in the period, investigating its practitioners’ approaches to: 1) the interrelation between science and magic; 2) the differentiation between humans and animals; and 3) the conceptual distinction between mind and body. Topical issues of gender and race in physiognomic theories will be addressed. The outputs will include a monograph, an edition of a primary text, and an online, open-access anthology of sources. This ambitious dissemination plan is enabled by Ca’ Foscari’s programme Marie Curie+1, together with my advanced research skills and publication record. At Ca’ Foscari and during my secondment at the Centre Koyré in Paris I will expand my areas of competence, especially in the history of science and in iconography. I will improve my French, a crucial language for my field. I will develop my palaeographical skills to produce a critical edition that will help to restore physiognomics to the intellectual map of early modernity. The project will thus greatly enhance the independence I need to secure my main career goal, a permanent academic post.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
30123 VENEZIA
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.