Social Astronomy History: Ten Lectures

Author: Huang Yinong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: As a historian with comprehensive training in Western cutting-edge science, the author of this book often presents a vision and depth in exploring historical narratives that differ significantly from the norm. The "history of social astronomy" highlighted in the book is a newly emerging research direction that the author has attempted to pioneer over the past decade. Its purpose is to examine the close interactions between traditional astronomy and politics or society, and to enable science history research to engage in both interesting and profoundly meaningful dialogue with historical research. The book begins with the two important roles of ancient astronomers—astrology and (electional astrology)—attempting to restore the true nature of ancient astronomy. The chapters included in the book can be considered solid case studies that have laid the foundation for the "history of social astronomy" so far in academia. At the same time, they also broadly outline the potential developmental space for this field.