Through the Eyes of History

摘要

The history of science and technology is now a legitimate sub-discipline within history. It examines how humanity's understanding of the natural world and our ability to manipulate it have changed over the millennia. This field of history also studies the cultural, economic, and political impact of scientific innovation. Attesting to the maturity of this discipline, I counted (in a Web compilation) some 37 universities across the globe that offer degree programs or courses in the history of science and technology or related topics (e.g., History and Philosophy of Science, History of Science, Technology, Environment and Medicine). Modern discoveries and advances did not occur in a vacuum but crucially hinged on the edifices built by the Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Oriental, Indian, and Arab civilizations. Sir Isaac Newton's quote-"If I have seen farther (than certain other men), it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants."-could not have been more appropriate in this context.