The Golem : What Everyone Should Know about Science (A Canto Book Ser. )

Collins, Harry M. ; Pinch, Trevor

ISBN 10: 0521477360 / ISBN 13: 9780521477369

Published by Cambridge University Press,, New York, Ny, U. S. A., 1994

About this Item

164p, index, pale yellow paper. Queries th eplace of science in society.; 8vo.

Seller Inventory # 8192

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Golem : What Everyone Should Know about Science (A Canto Book Ser. )
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press,, New York, Ny, U. S. A.
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521477360
• ISBN 13: 9780521477369
• Binding: Soft Cover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Science and Mathematics

About this title

Synopsis

Science, it would seem, is neither all good nor all bad. It gives us nuclear accidents and cures for disease, agricultural self-sufficiency and death in space flight. Harry Collins and Trevor Pinch liken science to the Golem, a creature from Jewish mythology, powerful yet potentially dangerous, a gentle, helpful creature that may yet run amok at any moment. Through a series of intriguing case studies of famous and not-so-famous scientific episodes, ranging from relativity and cold fusion to memory in worms and the sex lives of lizards, the authors debunk the idea that science is the straightforward result of competent theorisation, observation and experimentation. Closer to the truth, they suggest, is the realisation that scientific certainty comes from interpreting ambiguous results within an order imposed by scientists themselves. This thought-provoking account will give general readers a new perspective on the place of science in society. '… perverse but entertaining … the writing is deft, the stories are good and there is not a boring page.' Nature '… a must for every science student.' Science Reporter

Book Description

Through a series of intriguing case studies of famous and not-so-famous scientific episodes, ranging from relativity and cold fusion to memory in worms and the sex lives of lizards, the authors debunk the idea that science is the straightforward result of competent theorisation, observation and experimentation.