Voyaging in Strange Seas: The Great Revolution in Science
An ambitious, landmark history of the Scientific Revolution, from the age of Columbus to the age of Cook

In 1492 Columbus set out across the Atlantic; in 1776 American colonists declared their independence. Between these two events old authorities collapsed—Luther’s Reformation divided churches, and various discoveries revealed the ignorance of the ancient Greeks and Romans. A new, empirical worldview had arrived, focusing now on observation, experiment, and mathematical reasoning.
 
This engaging book takes us along on the great voyage of discovery that ushered in the modern age. David Knight, a distinguished historian of science, locates the Scientific Revolution in the great era of global oceanic voyages, which became both a spur to and a metaphor for scientific discovery. He introduces the well-known heroes of the story (Galileo, Newton, Linnaeus) as well as lesser-recognized officers of scientific societies, printers and booksellers who turned scientific discovery into public knowledge, and editors who invented the scientific journal. Knight looks at a striking array of topics, from better maps to more accurate clocks, from a boom in printing to medical advancements. He portrays science and religion as engaged with each other rather than in constant conflict; in fact, science was often perceived as a way to uncover and celebrate God’s mysteries and laws. Populated with interesting characters, enriched with fascinating anecdotes, and built upon an acute understanding of the era, this book tells a story as thrilling as any in human history.
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Voyaging in Strange Seas: The Great Revolution in Science
An ambitious, landmark history of the Scientific Revolution, from the age of Columbus to the age of Cook

In 1492 Columbus set out across the Atlantic; in 1776 American colonists declared their independence. Between these two events old authorities collapsed—Luther’s Reformation divided churches, and various discoveries revealed the ignorance of the ancient Greeks and Romans. A new, empirical worldview had arrived, focusing now on observation, experiment, and mathematical reasoning.
 
This engaging book takes us along on the great voyage of discovery that ushered in the modern age. David Knight, a distinguished historian of science, locates the Scientific Revolution in the great era of global oceanic voyages, which became both a spur to and a metaphor for scientific discovery. He introduces the well-known heroes of the story (Galileo, Newton, Linnaeus) as well as lesser-recognized officers of scientific societies, printers and booksellers who turned scientific discovery into public knowledge, and editors who invented the scientific journal. Knight looks at a striking array of topics, from better maps to more accurate clocks, from a boom in printing to medical advancements. He portrays science and religion as engaged with each other rather than in constant conflict; in fact, science was often perceived as a way to uncover and celebrate God’s mysteries and laws. Populated with interesting characters, enriched with fascinating anecdotes, and built upon an acute understanding of the era, this book tells a story as thrilling as any in human history.
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Voyaging in Strange Seas: The Great Revolution in Science

Voyaging in Strange Seas: The Great Revolution in Science

by David Knight
Voyaging in Strange Seas: The Great Revolution in Science

Voyaging in Strange Seas: The Great Revolution in Science

by David Knight

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Overview

An ambitious, landmark history of the Scientific Revolution, from the age of Columbus to the age of Cook

In 1492 Columbus set out across the Atlantic; in 1776 American colonists declared their independence. Between these two events old authorities collapsed—Luther’s Reformation divided churches, and various discoveries revealed the ignorance of the ancient Greeks and Romans. A new, empirical worldview had arrived, focusing now on observation, experiment, and mathematical reasoning.
 
This engaging book takes us along on the great voyage of discovery that ushered in the modern age. David Knight, a distinguished historian of science, locates the Scientific Revolution in the great era of global oceanic voyages, which became both a spur to and a metaphor for scientific discovery. He introduces the well-known heroes of the story (Galileo, Newton, Linnaeus) as well as lesser-recognized officers of scientific societies, printers and booksellers who turned scientific discovery into public knowledge, and editors who invented the scientific journal. Knight looks at a striking array of topics, from better maps to more accurate clocks, from a boom in printing to medical advancements. He portrays science and religion as engaged with each other rather than in constant conflict; in fact, science was often perceived as a way to uncover and celebrate God’s mysteries and laws. Populated with interesting characters, enriched with fascinating anecdotes, and built upon an acute understanding of the era, this book tells a story as thrilling as any in human history.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780300212754
Publisher: Yale University Press
Publication date: 06/09/2015
Pages: 344
Product dimensions: 5.70(w) x 8.80(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

David Knight is Emeritus Professor of History & Philosophy of Science, Durham University, and former editor of the British Journal for the History of Science. He lives in Durham, UK.

Table of Contents

1 Voyaging in Strange Seas 1

2 The Deep Roots of Modern Science 10

3 Refining Common Sense: The New Philosophy 35

4 Looking Up to Heaven: Mathematics and Telescopes 60

5 Interrogating Nature: The Use of Experiment 84

6 Through Nature to Nature's God: The Two Books 106

7 Sharing the Vision: Scientific Societies 136

8 Life Is Short, Science Long: The Healing Art 160

9 Making Things Better: Practical Science 184

10 The Ladder of Creation: The Rise of Natural History 207

11 A Global Perspective: Exploring and Measuring 231

12 Enlightenment: Leisure, Electricity and Chemistry 253

13 Revolution, Evolution: How, Then, Did Science Grow? 281

Notes 292

Further Reading 299

Illustration Acknowledgements 305

Acknowledgements 306

Index 307

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