A History of Science: From Agriculture to Artificial Intelligence

by Mary Cruse

Overview

Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination - John Dewey

In A History of Science, Mary Cruse takes readers on a fascinating journey through the evolution of this discipline in its many strands. Throughout the centuries, our conception of what constitutes 'science' has developed hugely - from ancient natural philosophers and medieval alchemists to Renaissance scholars and Enlightenment reformers. Modern science evokes images of bubbling test tubes and spotless lab coats, but this limited perception inhibits us in truly understanding the progress of science throughout history. Cruse does not fall into this trap.

Learn about the development of agricultural tools, the study of weather patterns, mapmaking, mathematics and modern geology. Delve into the cutting-edge science of the 21st century - genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, sustainable energy projects. Cruse even speculates on which breakthroughs are yet to come...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781398810020
Publisher:	Arcturus Publishing
Publication date:	08/01/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Mary Cruse is a writer, journalist and science communicator, who began her career working as a publicist for a particle accelerator. Over the course of her career, Mary has edited Inside Diamond magazine, worked as a science columnist for the Oxford Mail, and supported science communications for the UK's synchrotron, the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Wellcome Trust.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Introduction 9

Part 1 Ancient History 3000 BC-5th Century

Chapter 1 Mathematics 15

Chapter 2 Medicine 27

Chapter 3 Philosophy 42

Part 2 The Post-Classical Era 5th-15th Centuries

Chapter 4 Geography 57

Chapter 5 Optics 69

Chapter 6 Plant Science 79

Part 3 The Early Modern Period 15th-18th Centuries

Chapter 7 Anatomy 95

Chapter 8 Astronomy 108

Chapter 9 Chemistry 120

Part 4 The 19th Century

Chapter 10 Engineering 139

Chapter 11 Geology 151

Chapter 12 Microbiology 164

Part 5 The 20th and 21st Centuries

Chapter 13 Physics 181

Chapter 14 Brain Science 194

Chapter 15 Computer Science 208

Chapter 16 Genetics 221

Part 6 The Future of Science

Chapter 17 Looking Ahead 239

Conclusion 247

Further Reading 248

Index 249

Picture Credits 256