The Scientific Revolution (science....

The Scientific Revolution (science....

Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Published
1998
Pages
218
ISBN-13
9780226750217
Format
print
Language
English

Ships same or next business day with delivery confirmation. Good condition. May or may not contain highlighting. Expedited shipping available.

Book Summary
Steven Shapin's The Scientific Revolution offers a concise, interpretive overview of how modern science emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries. Rather than a simple chronicle of discoveries, it examines the social and intellectual shifts that made new ways of knowing possible. This edition is ideal for students and general readers seeking a thoughtful introduction to a pivotal era in Western thought.
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About The Scientific Revolution (science....

In The Scientific Revolution, Steven Shapin challenges the notion of a single, uniform event and instead presents a nuanced account of the profound changes in natural philosophy between Copernicus and Newton. He explores how practices, institutions, and cultural authority shaped what counted as scientific knowledge. The book discusses key figures and developments—from astronomy and mechanics to anatomy and chemistry—while emphasizing the social contexts in which these ideas took root. Shapin also addresses historiography, asking how we should understand the very category of 'science' in the early modern period. This volume is part of the prestigious Science.culture series and remains a standard text for courses on the history of science. The physical copy offered here is in good condition and may contain highlighting, indicating prior academic use.

Who should read The Scientific Revolution (science....?

This book is essential for undergraduate and graduate students in history, philosophy, and science studies, as well as for general readers interested in how modern science came to be. Instructors will find it a valuable assigned text for courses on early modern Europe or the history of science. Anyone curious about the relationship between knowledge and society during a formative period will appreciate Shapin's accessible yet rigorous analysis.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • ✓ Provides a sophisticated yet accessible introduction to the Scientific Revolution
  • ✓ Written by a leading historian of science, ensuring scholarly authority
  • ✓ Balances intellectual history with social and cultural context
  • ✓ Concise length makes it ideal for course adoption
  • ✓ Includes helpful suggestions for further reading and a historiographical overview
Cons
  • ✗ Some readers may find the emphasis on social construction challenging
  • ✗ Assumes a basic familiarity with early modern history
  • ✗ The brevity may leave specialists wanting more depth on certain topics
  • ✗ Used copies may contain highlighting or annotations
  • ✗ Not a comprehensive survey of all scientific developments of the period
Frequently asked questions
Is this book suitable for someone with no background in science?
Yes, the book is written for a general academic audience and does not require specialized scientific knowledge. It focuses on historical and conceptual issues rather than technical details.
Does this edition include illustrations or diagrams?
The book contains a few black-and-white illustrations, but it is primarily a text-based analysis. It is not heavily illustrated.
What is the condition of the used copy?
The listing describes the book as in good condition, with possible highlighting. This means the text is fully readable, but there may be markings from previous use.
Is this a textbook or a trade book?
It is a scholarly monograph published by the University of Chicago Press, often used as a textbook in university courses. It is both a trade book for serious readers and an academic text.
Does the book cover the entire Scientific Revolution?
It provides a thematic overview rather than an exhaustive chronological account. It covers major developments and debates but does not aim to be encyclopedic.

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