Science and Civilisation in China Volume II: History of Scientific Thought

Joseph Needham; Wang Ling

ISBN 10: 0521058007 / ISBN 13: 9780521058001

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1956

25.5 x 19.5 cm. 696 pages. 13 plates, 12 tables. Black cloth spine with pictorial paper covered boards in price clipped dust jacket. Previous owner's name on front free endpaper. Some wrinkling and some tape reinforcement/repair to the jacket. Originally done in 1956, this printing done in 1975. Volume 2 only of the eventual 7 volume series published in 27 books. The series is a part of the Modern Library's 100 Best Nonfiction books of 20th century. Near Fine in Very Good dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 82151

Synopsis:

The second volume of Dr Joseph Needham's great work Science and Civilisation in China is devoted to the history of scientific thought. Beginning with ancient times, it describes the Confucian milieu in which arose the organic naturalism of the great Taoist school, the scientific philosophy of the Mohists and Logicians, and the quantitative materialism of the Legalists. Thus we are brought on to the fundamental ideas which dominated scientific thinking in the Chinese middle ages. The author opens his discussion by considering the remote and pictographic origins of words fundamental in scientific discourse, and then sets forth the influential doctrines of the Two Forces and the Five Elements. Subsequently he writes of the important sceptical tradition, the effects of Buddhist thought, and the Neo-Confucian climax of Chinese naturalism. Last comes a discussion of the conception of Laws of Nature in China and the West.

Review: "[An] astonishing and enduring study...[Needham brings] depth of emotion and technical finesse to his task."
Jonathan Spence, New York Review of Books

"Perhaps the greatest single act of historical synthesis and intercultural communication ever attempted by one man."
Laurence Picken, Cambridge University

Bibliographic Details

Title: Science and Civilisation in China Volume II:...
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Date: 1956
Binding: Hardcover
Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
Edition: Fifth Printing.