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The Ambitions of Curiosity: Understanding the World in Ancient Greece and China
Hardback
Main Details
Title |
The Ambitions of Curiosity: Understanding the World in Ancient Greece and China
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Authors and Contributors |
By (author) G. E. R. Lloyd
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Series | Ideas in Context |
Physical Properties |
Format:Hardback | Pages:198 | Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 152 |
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Category/Genre | Philosophy History of science |
ISBN/Barcode |
9780521815420
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Classifications | Dewey:001.093 |
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Audience | Professional & Vocational | Tertiary Education (US: College) | |
Illustrations |
1 Tables, unspecified; 5 Halftones, unspecified; 26 Line drawings, unspecified
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Publishing Details |
Publisher |
Cambridge University Press
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Imprint |
Cambridge University Press
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Publication Date |
24 October 2002 |
Publication Country |
United Kingdom
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Description
In The Ambitions of Curiosity 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.
Author Biography
G. E. R. Lloyd is Emeritus Professor of Ancient Philosophy and Science at the University of Cambridge; he was Master of Darwin College from 1989 to 2000.
Reviews'... an important work ... recommended for undergraduate use.' Scott Rubarth, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
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