Scientific Development and Misconceptions Through the Ages: A Reference Guide

by Robert E. Krebs

Overview

The evolution of science through the ages has often been marred by people's misconceptions. From pre-historic times, when myths played a major role in people's lives, to present-day debates concerning the environment, people have sought ways to explain the world around them and have often come up with incorrect answers. Science has grown through the correction of these misconceptions. This unique reference source can be used by students, teachers, and other interested researchers to explore this growth as it pertains to both the field of science and the process of scientific experimentation. Readers will discover how misunderstandings led to further experimentation and eventually to scientific facts.

These false paths to scientific knowledge are not treated as deliberate misconduct, but rather as a lack of knowledge and a misunderstanding of the science and technology involved, both of which were sooner or later corrected by men and women of science. Krebs explores the conception and development of scientific thought in five different fields: Medicine and Health; Life Science; Chemistry and Physics; Astrology, Astronomy, and Cosmology; and Conservation, Ecology, and Environmentalism. Within each of these categories, he explores more specific areas, such as the circulatory system, geology, and inner planets. This arrangement provides easy access for the researcher interested in a particular area of science as well as those looking for general information, illuminating how our modern understanding of science is based on much of the developments in our ancient past.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313302268
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/28/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

ROBERT E. KREBS is the retired Associate Dean for Research at the University of Illinois Health Sciences Center. He is the author of The History and Use of Our Earth's Chemical Elements (Greenwood Press, 1998).

Table of Contents

Introduction
Types of Beliefs
Types of Misconceptions
Background
What Science Is
What Science Is Not
Medicine and Health
Introduction
Anatomy and Physiology
The Circulatory System
The Muscular/Skeletal and Nervous Systems
Diseases: Causes, Treatments, and Cures
Health and Preventive Medicine
Alternative Medicine and Modern Medical Misconceptions
Life Sciences
Introduction
Prehistory and Creation Myths
Scientific Concepts and Creation
Change
Geology
Time
Evolution
The Evolution of Humans
Chemistry and Physics
Ancient Development of the Uses of Fire and Tools
The Foundations for the Sciences of Chemistry and Physics
Alchemy
The Renaissance of Chemistry and Physics
The Golden Years of Chemistry and Physics
Paricles, Complexity, Chaos, and Uncertainty
Astrology, Astronomy, and Cosmology
Introduction
Definitions
Astronomy, the Solar System, and the Universe
Conservation, Ecology, and Environmentalism
Introduction
Definitions
Conservation
Ecology
Environmentalism
Other Environmental Issues
Index

Editorial Reviews

Describes examples of people explaining the world around them in ways that modern science no longer credits, highlighting how changing those conceptions have led to what scientists currently take to be truth. Covers a short history of science as background; medicine and health; life sciences; chemistry and physics; astrology, astronomy, and cosmology; and conservation, ecology, and environmentalism. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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