The Ambitions of Curiosity
Understanding the World in Ancient Greece and China
£22.99
Part of Ideas in Context
- Author: G. E. R. Lloyd, University of Cambridge
- Date Published: October 2002
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521894616
£
22.99
Paperback
Other available formats:
Hardback
Looking for an inspection copy?
This title is not currently available on inspection
-
In The Ambitions of Curiosity, first published in 2002, one of the world's foremost philosophers of science explores the origins and growth of systematic inquiry in Greece, China, and Mesopotamia. Professor Lloyd examines which factors stimulated or inhibited this development, and whose interests were served. He asks who set the agenda? What was the role of the state in sponsoring, supporting or blocking research, in such areas as historiography, natural philosophy, medical research, astronomy, technology, pure and applied mathematics? How were each of those fields defined and developed in different ancient societies? How did truly innovative thinkers persuade their own contemporaries to accept their work? Professor Lloyd explores the different routes those developments took in China, Greece and Mesopotamia, and demonstrates the unexpected results of many research efforts, as well as the tensions between state control and individual innovation and the different ways they were resolved - problems that remain central to scientific research today.
Read more- Comparative analysis of inquiry in the ancient societies of China, Greece and Mesopotamia by one of the world's leading historians and philosophers of science
- Wider in scope than conventional histories of science with chapters on historiography and the study of language
- Features debates over state involvement in scientific research which are still relevant today
Reviews & endorsements
'… an important work … recommended for undergraduate use.' Scott Rubarth, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: October 2002
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521894616
- length: 200 pages
- dimensions: 229 x 153 x 15 mm
- weight: 0.328kg
- contains: 31 b/w illus. 1 table
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
1. Histories, annals, myths
2. The modalities of prediction
3. The number of things
4. Applications and applicabilities
5. The language of learning
6. Individuals and institutions
Glossary of Chinese and Greek terms
Bibliography
Index.
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email lecturers@cambridge.org
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×