The Transmission of Knowledge in Eighteenth Century Britain: A Digital Investigation

This book uncovers how knowledge was transmitted and transformed in 18th-century Britain, using digital tools to reveal collective patterns in science, philosophy, and commerce. It explores the commodification of ideas and the politics of knowledge movement, offering fresh insights for both specialists and general readers. This book reimagines the history of knowledge in 18th-century Britain by exploring how ideas were transmitted and diffused across generations and disciplines. Drawing on innovative digital tools, it uncovers collective patterns in the language of science, philosophy and commerce, revealing how concepts such as ‘system’, ‘sensibility’ and ‘volition’ were shaped and shared by communities rather than individuals. The study examines the commodification of knowledge, tracing its connections with the rise of capitalism and the emergence of knowledge as a storable, transferable asset. By distinguishing between the optimistic project of transmission to posterity and the anxieties surrounding the diffusion of knowledge, this book illuminates the political, social and economic stakes of Enlightenment thought. Blending literary analysis, intellectual history, and digital humanities, it offers new perspectives for scholars and general readers on how knowledge structures persist and evolve, and why their movement matters for modernity.

Pagina's: 188, Editie: Eerste editie, Hardcover, Routledge