Bruno Latour

Bruno Latour is among the most important figures in contemporary philosophy and social science. His ethnographic studies have revolutionized our understanding of areas as diverse as science, law, politics, and religion. To facilitate a more realistic understanding of the world, Latour has introduced a radically fresh philosophical terminology and a new approach to social science, known as Actor-Network Theory. In seminal works such as Laboratory Life, We Have Never Been Modern, and An Inquiry into Modes of Existence, Latour has outlined an alternative to the foundational categories of modern western thought, particularly its distinction between society and nature. This has major consequences for our understanding of the ecological crisis and the role of science in democratic societies. Latour's empirical philosophy has evolved considerably over the past four decades.