This modern classic, originally published in 1960, has been reissued with a new foreword and additional supplementary material. The book offers readers a fresh perspective on its themes and relevance, enhancing the experience for both new and returning audiences. The inclusion of the foreword and supplements provides deeper insights into the work's significance and context, making it a valuable addition to any literary collection.
Exploring the evolution of embryology, this book traces Western thought from ancient ideas about fetal development to the late eighteenth century. It highlights significant shifts in understanding and the impact of historical context on scientific progress in the field. With a focus on key concepts and milestones, the narrative provides insight into how perceptions of embryonic growth have changed over time.
The book explores the significant social and intellectual contributions from South and East Asia to Europe, highlighting the historical interactions and exchanges that have shaped European thought and culture. It delves into the impact of these influences, providing insights into the complex relationships between these regions throughout history.
Joseph Needham's Science and Civilisation in China is a monumental piece of scholarship which breaks new ground in presenting to the Western reader a detailed and coherent account of the development of science, technology and medicine in China from the earliest times until the advent of the Jesuits and the beginnings of modern science in the late seventeenth century. It is a vast work, necessarily more suited to the scholar and research worker than the general reader. This paperback version, abridged and re-written by Colin Ronan, makes this extremely important study accessible to a wider public. The present book covers the material treated in volumes I and II of Dr Needham's original work. The reader is introduced to the country of China, its history, geography and language, and an account is given of how scientific knowledge travelled between China and Europe. The major part of the book is then devoted to the history of scientific thought in China itself. Beginning with ancient times, it describes the milieu in which arose the schools of the Confucians, Taoists, Mohists, Logicians and Legalists. We are thus brought on to the fundamental ideas which dominated scientific thinking in the Chinese Middle Ages, to the doctrines of the Two Forces (Yin and Yang) and the Five Elements (wu hsing), to the impact of the sceptical tradition and Buddhist and Neo-Confucian thought.
Under the Yi dynasty in Korea a remarkable series of astronomical instruments, star-charts and clocks was created. In this volume, four distinguished historians of Asian science demonstrate the context, purpose, nature and specific workings of these early scientific instruments.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Recognized for its cultural significance, this work contributes to the foundational knowledge of civilization. It has been chosen by scholars for its importance in understanding historical and societal contexts, making it a valuable addition to the canon of essential literature.
Focusing on the significant yet underexplored contributions of Chinese civilization to science and technology, this work highlights its status as one of the world's three greatest civilizations alongside Indian and European-Semitic cultures. It delves into the recent scholarly efforts to investigate China's historical advancements, shedding light on its achievements that have often been overlooked in broader discussions of global history.