Coffeehouse Sociability: Themes, Problems and Directions

Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss certain issues surrounding the Literature on Early Modern Coffeehouse Sociability. One issue that arises in this historiography is the need to go beyond the Habermasian paradigm in defining the early modern sociabilities. Second issue, which is closely connected to the first that has been argued here is the necessity of a Global perspective in dealing with early modern Coffeehouse without overlooking the cultural characteristics of the East and West. The third issue about the Coffeehouse sociability in the Early Modern World is the intellectual history dimension. Here in this article we argue that extra-institutional aspect of this kind of sociability should be taken into consideration. Last issue we deal with is the use of primary sources in dealing with the Coffeehouse. Examples and suggestions from previously unexamined sources and at times beyond coffee use, will be argued, might lead to a wider understanding of Early Modern Sociabilities.