In this volume, we aim to explore the ways in which comparing is related
to other social and epistemic activities in knowledge generation processes in
the sciences, humanities and the arts.1 We particularly emphasize the relationship between comparing and narrating in epistemic practice. One of our
central goals is to clarify the potential of narratives for drawing comparisons,
that is, the way in which narratives can enable, support or hinder the practice
of comparing. Furthermore, this volume seeks to locate narrating and comparing within the conceptual and methodological, material, and discursive
practices that are involved in knowledge generation processes. The focus on
practice also means for us to look more closely at the relations between those
activities and processes which form the conditions for using both comparisons and narratives successfully in the production of knowledge.