The Cambridge History of Science: Volume 6, The Modern Biological and Earth Sciences (The Cambridge History of Science)

This book in the highly respected Cambridge History of Science series is devoted to the history of the life and earth sciences since 1800. It provides comprehensive and authoritative surveys of historical thinking on major developments in these areas of science, on the social and cultural milieus in which the knowledge was generated, and on the wider impact of the major theoretical and practical innovations. The articles were written by acknowledged experts who provide concise accounts of the latest historical thinking coupled with guides to the most important recent literature. In addition to histories of traditional sciences, the book covers the emergence of newer disciplines such as genetics, biochemistry, and geophysics. The interaction of scientific techniques with their practical applications in areas such as medicine is a major focus of the book, as is its coverage of controversial areas such as science and religion and environmentalism. "This book in the highly respected Cambridge History of Science series is devoted to the history of the life and earth sciences since 1800. It provides comprehensive and authoritative surveys of historical thinking on major developments in these areas of science, on the social and cultural milieus in which the knowledge was generated, and on the wider impact of the major theoretical and practical innovations. The articles are written by acknowledged experts who provide concise accounts of the latest historical thinking coupled with guides to the most important recent literature. In addition to histories of traditional sciences, the book covers the emergence of newer disciplines such as genetics, biochemistry and geophysics. The interaction of scientific techniques with their practical applications in areas such as medicine is a major focus of the book, as is its coverage of controversial areas such as science and religion, and environmentalism."-- Provided by publisher The Cambridge History of Science comprises eight volumes, the first four arranged chronologically from antiquity through the eighteenth century, the latter four organized thematically and covering the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Eminent scholars from Europe and North America, who together form the editorial board for the series, edit the respective volumes. Forthcoming:This volume offers to general and specialist readers alike the fullest and most complete survey of the development of science in the eighteenth century. It is designed to be read as both a narrative and an interpretation, and also to be used as a work of reference. While prime attention is paid to Western science, space is also given to science in traditional cultures and to colonial science. The contributors, world leaders in their respective specialties, engage with current historiographical and methodological controversies and strike out positions of their own. Publisher's description: This volume offers to general and specialist readers alike the fullest and most complete survey of the development of science in the eighteenth century, exploring the implications of the 'scientific revolution' of the previous century and the major new growth-points, particularly in the experimental sciences. It is designed to be read as both a narrative and an interpretation, and also used as a work of reference. While prime attention is paid to western science, space is also given to science in traditional cultures and colonial science. The coverage strikes a balance between analysis of the cognitive dimension of science itself and interpretation of its wider social, economic and cultural significance. The contributors, world leaders in their respective specialities, engage with current historiographical and methodological controversies and strike out on positions of their own 1......Page 1 2......Page 27 3......Page 39 4......Page 60 5......Page 86 6......Page 102 7......Page 116 8......Page 134 9......Page 152 10......Page 167 11......Page 191 12......Page 211 13......Page 231 14......Page 251 15......Page 269 16......Page 291 17......Page 311 18......Page 342 19......Page 368 20......Page 393 21......Page 409 22......Page 421 23......Page 442 24......Page 458 25......Page 477 26......Page 493 27......Page 512 28......Page 530 29......Page 550 30......Page 565 31......Page 589 32......Page 609 33......Page 628 34......Page 648 This Volume Is A Comprehensive Account Of Knowledge Of The Natural World In Europe, Ca. 1500-1700. Often Referred To As The Scientific Revolution, This Period Saw Major Transformations In Fields As Diverse As Anatomy And Astronomy, Natural History And Mathematics. Articles By Leading Specialists Describe In Clear, Accessible Prose Supplemented By Extensive Bibliographies, How New Ideas, Discoveries, And Institutions Shaped The Ways In Which Nature Came To Be Studied, Understood, And Used. v. 3. Early modern science v. 4. Eighteenth-century science / edited by Roy Porter v. 5. The modern physical and mathematical sciences / edited by Mary Jo Nye v. 7. The modern social sciences / edited by Theodore M. Porter, Dorothy Ross This volume of the Cambridge History of Science covers the period from roughly 1490 to 1730, which is known to anglophone historians of Europe as the "early modern" era, a term pregnant with expectations of things to come. This is an account of knowledge of the natural world in Europe, ca. 1500-1700. Referred to as the Scientific Revolution, this period saw major transformations in various fields such as anatomy, astronomy & natural history