A History of Science in Society: From Philosophy to Utility, Second Edition - Softcover

Andrew Ede; Lesley B. Cormack

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1442604468 ISBN 13: 9781442604469

Publisher: University of Toronto Press, 2012

Synopsis

A History of Science in Society is a concise overview that introduces complex ideas in a non-technical fashion. Andrew Ede and Lesley B. Cormack trace the history of science through its continually changing place in society and explore the link between the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to make that knowledge useful.

In this edition, the authors examine the robust intellectual exchange between East and West and provide new discussions of two women in science: Maria Merian and Maria Winkelmann. A chapter on the relationship between science and war has been added as well as a section on climate change. The further readings section has been updated to reflect recent contributions to the field. Other new features include timelines at the end of each chapter, 70 upgraded illustrations, and new maps of Renaissance Europe, Captain James Cook's voyages, the 2nd voyage of the Beagle, and the main war front during World War I.

About this title

About the Author:

Lesley B. Cormack is Dean of Arts at the University of Alberta and the author of Charting an Empire: Geography at the English Universities, 1580-1620 and co-editor with Andrew Ede of A History of Science in Society: A Reader.
Andrew Ede is Associate Professor of History at the University of Alberta and the author of The Rise and Decline of Colloid Science in North America, 1900-1935: The Neglected Dimension and The Chemical Element: A Historical Perspective.

Review:

I've used A History of Science in Society in my survey course for years; it is one of the rare books that is as accessible as it is informative. The newest edition provides a richer discussion of subjects students care most about, and the already impressive text has been improved in innumerable ways. (Matthew H. Hersch, University of Pennsylvania)

A History of Science in Society is a terrific book.... Informed by recent scholarship on the importance of social constructions in the development of scientific ideas, Ede and Cormack's focus on how natural philosophers and scientists increasingly strove to make natural knowledge useful keeps the narrative focused and interesting. Easy to understand diagrams and a thoughtful use of illustrations and other supporting materials will greatly enhance student mastery of difficult concepts. This book is clearly written by two scholars who know how challenging it is to teach the history of science, and their beautifully written, thorough, and engaging book will be a welcome addition to many scholars' and students' bookshelves. (Deborah E. Harkness, University of Southern California)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Toronto Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1442604468
• ISBN 13: 9781442604469
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 448