Science, Civilization and Society: a History of Interaction and Interdependence

Science and civilization are Siamese twins. Energygrids, transport infrastructure, the financialsystem, all the structures that allow civilization toexist are based on scientific research; nuclearparticle accelerators, genome depositories, spacetelescopes, all the tools of modern science can onlybe provided by advanced civilization. Yet thehistories of science and civilization are written inseparate books, and descriptions of their evolutionthrough time ignore the history of their interdependence. This book chronicles the history of science andcivilizations as a process of continuous interactionover 5000 years, from the beginning of civilizationto today. It demonstrates that science is not theresult of unfocussed curiosity but develops inresponse to the needs of society and is shaped by thechanging character of society. The discussion followsthe development of science in civilizations on allcontinents, from Asia, the Middle East and theAmericas to the Muslim empires, Europeanenlightenment and the USA. It ends with an outlook onthe role of science in a global world threatened byenvironmental degradation and climate change.