Saturday, November 09, 2024

Horizons: The Global Origins of Modern Science

Horizons: The Global Origins of Modern Science by James Poskett

The common narrative is that Europe "invented" modern science during the renaissance and used it to help dominate the world. Other civilizations such as China and the Islamic world had key scientific innovations earlier, but they "lost their way". This book refutes that narrative and posits science as a global endeavor that has continued on throughout the world. People in one region have built off those from others. Science is in some way "national", but this national science is part of a global endeavor. It was once common for scientists to read journals in various languages published throughout the world. There have been instances of politics pushing science back. (Genetics in Communist Russia is a specific example.) However, various local conditions can help provide the unique impetus or situation for innovation. The growth and sharing helps the world.

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