Publication

2002-11-04 - Cambridge University Press

Language

English

Word Count

49,500 words, Guess

Page Count

198 pages

Physical Format

Hardcover

Identifiers

and 2 more
  • Library of Congress Control Number2002025663
  • Goodreads188966

Classifications

  • LCCQ124.95 .L58 2002

Description

"This book explores the origins and growth of systematic inquiry in Greece, China and Mesopotamia. Professor Lloyd examines which factors stimulated or inhibited this development, and whose interest were served. Who set the agenda? What was the role of the state in sponsoring, supporting or blocking research in areas such as historiography, natural philosophy, medical research, astronomy, technology, pure and applied mathematics and the rise of technical terminology in all those fields? How was each of those fields defined and developed in different ancient societies? How did truly innovative thinkers persuade their own contemporaries to accept their work? Three of the main themes elaborated are, first, the different routes those developments took in China, Greece and Mesopotamia; second, the unexpected result of many research efforts; and third, the tensions between state control and individual innovation, and the different ways they were resolved - problems that remain in scientific research today."--Jacket.

First Sentence

Aristotle said that all humans naturally desire knowledge.

Subjects

Other Editions

  • The Ambitions of CuriosityHardcoverCambridge University Press2002-11-04

Similar Books

Reader Reviews

No reviews yet for this book.

Be the first to share your thoughts!