Synthesized answer
The central thesis of "We Have Never Been Modern" by Bruno Latour challenges the prevailing belief that the rise of science irrevocably separated modern humans from their premodern ancestors [Passage 1]. Latour proposes that this conviction is a matter of faith [Passage 1].
The book functions as an anthropology of science, exploring what the world might look like if this "fond conviction" of modernity's separateness were abandoned [Passage 1]. The provided passages do not explicitly state the central thesis beyond this foundational idea.
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
Title: We Have Never Been Modern by Bruno Latour Description: With the rise of science, we moderns believe, the world changed irrevocably, separating us forever from our primitive, premodern ancestors. But if we were to let go of this fond conviction, Bruno Latour asks, what would the world look like? His book, an anthropology of science, shows us how much of modernity is actually a matter of faith. Categories: Science Pages: 172 Snippet: With the rise of science, we moderns believe, the world changed irrevocably, separating us forever from our primitive, premodern ancestors. But if we…