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Science Since Babylon: Difference between revisions
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'''''Science Since Babylon''''' is a book | |||
'''''Science Since Babylon''''' is a book by historian of science '''Derek J. de Solla Price''', first published in 1961 by Yale University Press. Based on a series of five lectures delivered at Yale University’s Sterling Memorial Library in 1959, the book traces the historical development of science, its cultural uniqueness in the West, and the exponential growth of scientific activity. An '''enlarged edition''' was issued in 1975, incorporating revised material and three new chapters. | |||
''Science Since Babylon'' is notable due to Price's observation of the exponential trajectory of scientific growth, and his subsequent prediction of that growth leveling off due to saturation. The book is often cited by [[Eric Weinstein]] for its observations about growth. Weinstein also notes that it is odd how few people know about this book given the implications of its predictions for science and research. | |||
'''An Open Access PDF of the book is available [http://derekdesollaprice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Science-Since-Babylon-opt.pdf here].''' | '''An Open Access PDF of the book is available [http://derekdesollaprice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Science-Since-Babylon-opt.pdf here].''' | ||
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==Chapter Summaries== | ==Chapter Summaries== | ||
===Preface | ===Preface to the Enlarged Edition=== | ||
Now, more than ever, science if being used as the hammer to solve all of society’s problems. Thus taking it away from it’s true purpose. | Now, more than ever, science if being used as the hammer to solve all of society’s problems. Thus taking it away from it’s true purpose. | ||
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This new edition has 3 extra chapters: | This new edition has 3 extra chapters: | ||
# The | # The History of Automata: “[it] serves as a link between the development of clockwork and the mechanistic philosophy that has played a central role in the conceptual side of science.” | ||
# The Geometrical amulets: “Links science with magical pseudoscience” | |||
# The Geometrical amulets | |||
# Relating science and technology | # Relating science and technology | ||
=== | ===Preface to Original Edition=== | ||
“I hoped, in addition, to show scientists that we ought to be able to talk about science with as much scholarly right as other humanists receive, and that our approach might (if successful) lead to a different or better understanding than one could get by just "doing” science.” | “I hoped, in addition, to show scientists that we ought to be able to talk about science with as much scholarly right as other humanists receive, and that our approach might (if successful) lead to a different or better understanding than one could get by just "doing” science.” | ||