Toward a Global Science: Mining Civilizational Knowledge (Race, Gender, & Science)

"... an insightful study of how some of the premodern scientific results and insights may serve us well in the modern world. Unlike some other books of this genre, this is not the frustrated reaction of a Third World scholar to the successes and accomplishments of Western science, nor a naive cry for recognition, nor the expression of craving for commendation from the West. Rather, this is a balanced and intelligent view of science and history with a no-nonsense approach to ancient science and wisdom, and it reveals serious scholarship and reflection. Highly recommended." —Choice

"This study maps the depth and scope of the historical connections between Asia and Europe across the sciences, from mathematics to psychology and philosophy of science.... The outcome is a profoundly engaging work that confirms Susantha Goonatilake as one of the most creative and innovative scholars of science." —Jan Nederveen Pieterse, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague

Discard your Eurocentric scientific blinders! Mathematics, printing, gunpowder, and the compass were all developed in Asia—but for centuries the West has marginalized scientific contributions with Asian roots. This study emphasizes the many modern scientific contributions still lying hidden and un-mined in Asian civilizational stores. The author details recent advances from South Asian medicine, mathematics, and psychology and explores how Asian discoveries and strategies can be useful in navigating philosophical and ethical problems raised by future technologies.

Susantha Goonatilake is Senior consultant for the United Nations on science and technology and with the New School for Social Research, New York and Vidyartha Center for Science and Society, Colombo. He has taught in several universities and research institutes in Asia, Europe and America. He is the author of Aborted Discovery: Science and Creativity in the Third World; Crippled Minds: An Exploration into Colonial Culture, Evolution of Information: Lineages in Genes, Culture and Artefact; Technological Independence: The Asian Experience, Technology Assessment; and Merged Evolution: The Long Term Implications of Information Technology and Biotechnology.