Science Deified & Science Defied 1: The Historical Significance of Science in Western Culture from Bronze Age to the Beginnings of the Modern Era c 3500 BC-AD 1640

by Richard G. Olson

A formidable and fascinating tour de force tracing the role of science, and anti-science, from Sumerian, Mesopotamian and Babylonian societies, through Greek thought, the early Church fathers and Islam, to the late medieval period and the Renaissance.

Paperback

First published December 1, 1982

Reviews

[Daniel Chaikin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a little down on this one because instead of inspiring me, it has left me discouraged. I wasn't able to follow or keep track of the big and seemingly loosely defined themes. The definition of science is awkward, leading to wide ranging book that seems to change focus. I mean that is normal for this kind of book. I guess it's just a tough topic. I can't seem to figure out what Platonic or Neoplatonic means, or how subtle things lead to...whatever they lead to. Sure, I can list ancient Mesopotamian Astronomy, pre-Socratic philosophers, Plato, Aristotle...then??...Alexandrian early analogy-focused Christians, St. Augustine, St. Basil, Islam and Astrology, Averoes, Avicenna, rediscovery of Aristotle, Hermetic stuff and the occult, Copernicus, Galileo, Bacon and the division of religion and science. But, what exactly that gets me, I'm not sure.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of a two volume set describing the history of science from the earliest records until the early modern era. I have neither read nor seen the second volume, but was impressed enough by this one to pass it on to a dear friend with a scientific bent.