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Science Communication as Praxis: Analysis of ‘The Periodic Table’ by Primo Levi

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  • Luciana Massi,
  • Guilherme da Silva Lima
Luciana Massi
Department of Education, Faculty of Sciences of Bauru at the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, Rod. Araraquara-Jaú Km 1 - Campos Ville, Araraquara/SP - CEP 14800-901
Bio
Guilherme da Silva Lima
Physics Department, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha - Belo Horizonte - MG - CEP 31270-901
Bio
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/Substantia-3441

Published 2025-06-19

Keywords

  • Science and literature,
  • science communication,
  • praxis,
  • Primo Levi,
  • The periodic table

How to Cite

Massi, L., & da Silva Lima, G. (2025). Science Communication as Praxis: Analysis of ‘The Periodic Table’ by Primo Levi. Substantia. https://doi.org/10.36253/Substantia-3441

Copyright (c) 2025 Luciana Massi, Guilherme da Silva Lima

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

This article is an analysis of the book “The Periodic Table”, which derives from Primo Levi’s praxis. This is an attempt to highlight the reason for the communicative practice and subject-object relationship involved in his book’s production. The analysis was based on both praxis categories and the subject/object opposition unit emerging from historical and dialectical materialism. Accordingly, we mobilize and advocate for a science communication concept based on the sense of praxis that is not limited to the discursive aspects of this production type. Based on the sources’ selection carried out in the collection of “Centro Internazionale di Studi Primo Levi”, this book can be the very result of Levi’s transformative praxis, which was driven by a liberating human formation substantiated by science. Science outspread as transformative praxis in Primo Levi’s work and in the subject/object relationship observed it. Human development was the reason for his practice, and it was driven by a liberating perspective, by outspreading a science that could help expanding the concept of world and society. This reason is linked to his biography and activities, which play a potential humanizing role in relationships man set with nature and society. The present article sought to broaden the understanding of SC as praxis based on a case study and to stand against a narrow view of SC and the superficial reasons often linked to it.

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