Let the light of science illuminate itself - Why didn't modern science emerge in China?

Author: Liu Qingfeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: This book was first published in 1983 and was one of the "Towards the Future Series" that made a sensation in the intellectual world in the 1980s. The author adopts a comparative perspective between the East and the West to explore the course, mechanisms, and social background of the development of modern scientific and technological structures. It further analyzes the technical and social structural reasons why modern science did not emerge in China. From today's perspective, the greatest feature of this book still lies in it being a work of scientific history that emphasizes an integrated research methodology and combines natural sciences with humanities. Compared to the current academic research trend toward micro-level and highly specialized studies, this book maintains its fresh appeal with its macroscopic grasp, while its humanistic concern for social hot issues and emphasis on science popularization make it even more relatable today compared to some pretentious and high-flown pronouncements.