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 development, mechanisms, and social context of the structure of modern science and technology, and 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 its rigorous research methodology and its integration of natural and humanities, making it a work of scientific history. Compared to the current academic research trend of being micro-focused and highly specialized, this book maintains its freshness from back then with its macro grasp. Moreover, its concern for social hot issues and emphasis on science popularization demonstrate a humanistic care that feels even more relatable today compared to some high-flown and pretentious pronouncements. The author adopts a comparative perspective between the East and the West to explore the development, mechanisms, and social context of the structure of modern science and technology, and further analyzes the technical and social structural reasons why modern science did not emerge in China.