Human sciences and the practice of democracy. From Maria Montessori to Franco Basaglia

Journal title RIVISTA SPERIMENTALE DI FRENIATRIA
Author/s Valeria P. Babini
Publishing Year 2013 Issue 2013/1
Language Italian Pages 24 P. 9-32 File size 1739 KB
DOI 10.3280/RSF2013-001002
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This paper reflects on the life-giving quality of freedom and underlines it’s critical role in covertly connecting diverse yet significant chapters of the history of human sciences, e.g. the "remote relationship" existing between Maria Montessori and Franco Basaglia. These two intellectuals live and work in different historical periods, nonetheless they are close in content and spirit. Both represent milestones in the comprehension of the human being as an epistemological and revolutionary potential, driving force towards humanistic and democratic practices. Montessori and Basaglia follow diverse cultural and scientific itineraries but present similar thoughts. Both start from a standpoint of radical critique of the ground principles of their field of study. As a result they revisit the roots of human sciences: the concern for humanity. Their itinerary can thus be regarded as emblematic of the approach in human sciences that focuses on the crucial moment of crisis: example of an anti-reductionist and anti-absolute knowledge, constantly re-constructed and retransformed.

Keywords: Basaglia, Montessori, Minkowski, Bergson, human sciences, freedom.

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Valeria P. Babini, Scienze umane e pratica di democrazia. Da Maria Montessori a Franco Basaglia in "RIVISTA SPERIMENTALE DI FRENIATRIA" 1/2013, pp 9-32, DOI: 10.3280/RSF2013-001002