The History of Science in Latin America and the International Agenda: History, Reflection on Our Themes, Local Scientific Practices and Perspectives

In the context of the conceptual and thematic renewal of Latin American historiography of the sciences in the last decades of the twentieth century, several points stood out. These included the recognition of scientific practice in Latin America, understanding the social significance of scientific practice, and the development of studies aimed at analyzing the processes of transmission and reception of scientific knowledge. In this agenda, the idea of a social protagonism of science in Latin America was evident, as it acquired a social and political connotation. The intention is to reflect, in theoretical and methodological terms, on the historical construction of the specificities of the formation of scientific practice in colonial Latin America, especially from the perspectives and trajectories of enlightened men such as mexican José Antonio Alzate and brazilian Manuel Arruda da Câmara. In the scientific practice developed by these figures, we seek to perceive the characterization of the elements of science, their concept of science, and the way scientific knowledge is applied to address the problems experienced by that society.