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. |
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Page xiii
... ideas that changed the course not only of science itself but often of whole areas of human thought . Science , of course , has its practical benefits , but they will not be our primary concern . This is not a book about nonstick frying ...
... ideas that changed the course not only of science itself but often of whole areas of human thought . Science , of course , has its practical benefits , but they will not be our primary concern . This is not a book about nonstick frying ...
Page xv
... idea of " wave . " This extreme fragmentation of experience is the antithesis of man's inherent need to find unifying themes in nature . The great sci- entists have often been those who saw such themes where others failed , who saw wave ...
... idea of " wave . " This extreme fragmentation of experience is the antithesis of man's inherent need to find unifying themes in nature . The great sci- entists have often been those who saw such themes where others failed , who saw wave ...
Page xvi
... ideas have affected the relationship of man to society , his ideas of God , and his image of himself . Science has influenced the way people write poetry and the way they paint pictures . In the hands of bigots , it has provided a ...
... ideas have affected the relationship of man to society , his ideas of God , and his image of himself . Science has influenced the way people write poetry and the way they paint pictures . In the hands of bigots , it has provided a ...
Page 10
... idea is that as a theory it is useless . It qualitatively explains Boyle's observations , but you can't derive ... ideas . Science is not carved on tablets of marble . Theories have arisen , have worked , have been challenged , and have ...
... idea is that as a theory it is useless . It qualitatively explains Boyle's observations , but you can't derive ... ideas . Science is not carved on tablets of marble . Theories have arisen , have worked , have been challenged , and have ...
Page 12
... idea , that the idea of God is found in me , or that I exist pos- sessing this idea , I conclude so clearly that God exists , and that my existence 1Saint Augustine ( 354–430 ) had related thoughts , as seen in the passage in ...
... idea , that the idea of God is found in me , or that I exist pos- sessing this idea , I conclude so clearly that God exists , and that my existence 1Saint Augustine ( 354–430 ) had related thoughts , as seen in the passage in ...
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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Common terms and phrases
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...