Skip to main content

How is the history of science relevant to science today?

The history of science studies not only developments in science over time, but also the changes in thinking behind those developments. Consider the example of the discovery that the world is round rather than flat; historians of science study the historic event of that discovery, as well underlying changes in scientific thought that came afterward.



An understanding of how science has been studied and practiced in the past lets us do two things. First,...

The history of science studies not only developments in science over time, but also the changes in thinking behind those developments. Consider the example of the discovery that the world is round rather than flat; historians of science study the historic event of that discovery, as well underlying changes in scientific thought that came afterward.



An understanding of how science has been studied and practiced in the past lets us do two things. First, it better allows us to examine our current scientific practices. Second, it allows us to understand how scientific values have shifted over time. The history of science reveals large changes in thought as new understandings of the natural world developed. For example, after Einstein released his theory of relativity, the scientific community rapidly shifted several paradigms about the natural world. These change moments are central to the study of the history of science.



It is difficult to consider the history of science without also encountering the philosophy of science. The two fields are closely connected in that when observing the changes in scientific thinking over time, the natural question to ask next is, Why did these changes occur? These two fields—the history and philosophy of science—are an important pair that inform our understanding of science and thought, past and present.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...