#USA #California #Donna Haraway #Erasmus Prize #Cyborg Manifesto

Donna Haraway: A Pioneering Thinker in Philosophy and Science

The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation has announced its prestigious Erasmus Prize for 2025, awarding the honor to American philosopher and science historian Donna Haraway. The theme for this year's award, "The Pursuit of What Connects Us," aptly highlights Haraway’s lifelong exploration of the interconnections between biology, literature, art, and social activism. Through her work, she challenges the prevailing human thought patterns that often conflict with humanistic ideals such as equality and openness, drawing on themes reminiscent of Erasmus' critical reflections in _The Praise of Folly_.

Born in 1944 in Denver, Colorado, Haraway pursued her studies in zoology and philosophy at Colorado College. A year spent in Paris deepened her examination of evolutionary philosophy, leading to her doctorate in biology from Yale University in 1972. Her career has spanned prestigious academic positions, including roles in women's studies and philosophy of science at the University of Hawaii and Johns Hopkins University. From 1980 until her retirement, she served as a professor of history of consciousness and feminist studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Haraway gained worldwide prominence in 1985 with the publication of her seminal work, _A Cyborg Manifesto_, which has since been regarded as a feminist classic. Using the concept of the cyborg—a fusion of human and machine—Haraway re-evaluates the binary oppositions of gender, nature, and technology. In her later work, _Primate Visions_ (1990), she critically deconstructs these entrenched dualisms, particularly scrutinizing the discipline of primatology. She articulates how our understanding of the natural world is intricately linked to issues of race and gender, revealing that the language employed by primatologists often reinforces culturally constructed gender differences.

In her more recent publications, such as _When Species Meet_ (2007) and _Staying with the Trouble_ (2016), Haraway tackles the challenges of coexisting with other organisms in an ecologically threatened world. Once again, she blurs the boundaries between human and non-human life, presenting a complex view of existence that advocates for inclusive coexistence.

Haraway’s influence extends far beyond academia. By introducing innovative concepts and metaphors, she provides a critical and creative lens through which contemporary crises can be examined. Her works have inspired generations of philosophers, scientists, and artists dedicated to combating sexism, racism, and speciesism, solidifying her position as one of the most influential voices in contemporary philosophy and art.

Over the years, Haraway has received numerous accolades, such as the J.D. Bernal Prize in 2000, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the social studies of science. In 2020, she was awarded the Alfonso Reyes Prize from Nuevo León for her unique ability to weave together biology, economics, politics, culture, science fiction, feminism, and climate change discourse.

The Erasmus Prize is presented annually to individuals or institutions who have made outstanding contributions to the humanities or arts. Under the patronage of His Majesty the King of the Netherlands, the award comes with a €150,000 monetary prize, which will be ceremoniously granted in autumn 2025, further highlighting the importance of Haraway’s revolutionary ideas and advocacy in shaping our understanding of humanity's interconnectedness with the broader world. For more details, visit Erasmus Prize.