The Ascent of ScienceFrom the revolutionary discoveries of Galileo and Newton to the mind-bending theories of Einstein and Heisenberg, from plate tectonics to particle physics, from the origin of life to universal entropy, and from biology to cosmology, here is a sweeping, readable, and dynamic account of the whole of Western science. In the approachable manner and method of Stephen Jay Gould and Carl Sagan, the late Brian L. Silver translates our most important, and often most obscure, scientific developments into a vernacular that is not only accessible and illuminating but also enjoyable. Silver makes his comprehensive case with much clarity and insight; his book aptly locates science as the apex of human reason, and reason as our best path to the truth. For all readers curious about--or else perhaps intimidated by--what Silver calls "the scientific campaign up to now" in his Preface, The Ascent of Science will be fresh, vivid, and fascinating reading. |
From inside the book
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Page vii
... Completely Wrong 3 2. I Believe Part Two 11 3. Thomas Aquinas versus Neil Armstrong 29 4. The Second Law 37 5. Predicting Catastrophe 42 6. From Newton to De Sade : The Partial Triumph of Reason 7. From Rousseau to Blake : The Revolt ...
... Completely Wrong 3 2. I Believe Part Two 11 3. Thomas Aquinas versus Neil Armstrong 29 4. The Second Law 37 5. Predicting Catastrophe 42 6. From Newton to De Sade : The Partial Triumph of Reason 7. From Rousseau to Blake : The Revolt ...
Page 1
Brian L. Silver. In which , among other things , we will look at the fallibility of science and of scientists , and ask if anyone can be trusted . This page intentionally left blank 1 Newton Gets It Completely Part One.
Brian L. Silver. In which , among other things , we will look at the fallibility of science and of scientists , and ask if anyone can be trusted . This page intentionally left blank 1 Newton Gets It Completely Part One.
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Brian L. Silver. This page intentionally left blank 1 Newton Gets It Completely Wrong Matter , in the.
Brian L. Silver. This page intentionally left blank 1 Newton Gets It Completely Wrong Matter , in the.
Page 3
... each one visible only under a microscope . All tests , physical or chemical , will verify that each drop is a sample of water . Can we Q Figure 1.1 . The approximate shapes of the molecules 1. Newton Gets It Completely Wrong.
... each one visible only under a microscope . All tests , physical or chemical , will verify that each drop is a sample of water . Can we Q Figure 1.1 . The approximate shapes of the molecules 1. Newton Gets It Completely Wrong.
Page 5
... thought that the universe was continuous , like jelly , but he didn't do 8 5 nm 8 Figure 1.2 . Molecules and empty space in the air around you . any experiments to back up his guess . Look at. Newton Gets It Completely Wrong 5.
... thought that the universe was continuous , like jelly , but he didn't do 8 5 nm 8 Figure 1.2 . Molecules and empty space in the air around you . any experiments to back up his guess . Look at. Newton Gets It Completely Wrong 5.
Contents
Part Two | 27 |
Part Three | 79 |
Part Four | 111 |
Part Five | 181 |
Part Six | 251 |
Part Seven | 355 |
Part Eight | 415 |
Part Nine | 477 |
Part Ten | 507 |
513 | |
519 | |
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acceleration amino acids appear atoms basic behavior believe Big Bang body carbon cells century chemical chemistry chromosomes completely concept contains crystal Darwin Descartes Earth effect Einstein electric electromagnetic electron elementary particles elements energy Enlightenment entropy enzyme equation evolution example existence experiments fact Faraday Figure frequencies galaxies Galilean invariance Galileo gases gene genetic give gravity heat helium Higgs boson human hydrogen hydrogen atom idea laws of motion living look mass material mathematical matter means measure metal million molecular molecules moving mutant nature neutron Newton Newtonian nucleus observed organism oxygen particles path philosopher photons physical physicist planets predict probability problem produced proteins Pythagoras quantum mechanics quarks radiation reason relativity result scientific scientists second law space special relativity species speed of light stars structure surface temperature theory tion universe velocity wave function
Popular passages
Page 12 - I now have before me a road which will lead us from the contemplation of the true God (in whom all the treasures of science and wisdom are contained) to the knowledge of the other objects of the universe. For, first of all, I recognise it to be impossible that He should ever deceive me...