The Advancement of Science and Its Burdens: With a New Introduction - Softcover

Holton, Gerald

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674005309 ISBN 13: 9780674005303

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1998

Synopsis

How did Albert Einstein's ideas shape the imaginations of twentieth-century artists and writers? Are there national differences between styles of scientific research? By what mechanisms is progress in science achieved despite the enormous diversity of individual, often conflicting, efforts? These are just a few of the questions posed in The Advancement of Science, and Its Burdens. Gerald Holton, one of the century's leading historians of science, continues his analysis of how modern science works and how it influences our world, with particular emphasis on the role of the thematic elements--those often unconscious presuppositions that guide scientific work to success or failure. Many of the conclusions emerge from the author's extensive study of the contributions of Albert Einstein. Indeed, Holton's new introduction for this edition, "Einstein and the Cultural Roots of Modern Science," demonstrates that Einstein's daring main pursuit, the discovery of unity among seemingly disparate aspects of physics, was psychologically supported by a surprising ally: the high literary works in which he immersed himself, above all Goethe's. This case study alone may well be a classic example for studying the interaction of science and culture.

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Review

[A] deeply thought-out probing of both the scientific enterprise and its effect on the society around it.--James Trefil "New York Times Book Review "

Book Description

Professor Holton continues his analysis of how modem science works and its influences on our world. A particular emphasis is on the thematic elements, the unconscious presuppositions that guide scientific work to success or failure. This work ranges over a broad spectrum of areas that command the attention of all readers with an interest in understanding the development of modem science.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0674005309
• ISBN 13: 9780674005303
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 396