Science

Reviews / Votes

'The study of ancient Greco-Roman science has undergone considerable changes in recent years, and our understandings of many aspects of modern science even more so. In this engaging new analysis Philippa Lang pulls off the remarkable feat of using the moderns to offer a fresh evaluation of the ancients' work. Thus she cites modern disputes in cosmology the better to appreciate ancient speculations about the origins of things while never underestimating the different methods used, and again recent developments in evolutionary theory to throw light on ancient debates on the changes to which animal kinds are subject. Ancient science, in her confident hands, is not just of historical interest, but brought to life as a record of the acute endeavours of inquiring minds to make sense of their environment.' - Sir Geoffrey Lloyd, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Ancient Philosophy and Science, University of Cambridge 'In her new book Philippa Lang discusses the differences and similarities between a variety of ancient and a variety of modern scientific explanations for the cosmos, species, methods, motion, and health. She offers a careful and engaging argument that brings ancient thinkers face to face with moderns such as Dalton, Darwin, Einstein, and Galileo, revealing where and why ancient explanations were found wanting, and how later formulations of particular problems and questions offered new solutions and explanations for the same phenomena. She is thought-provoking on ancient scientific method and theory; on the nature of experiment and observation, prediction and results, expectations and interpretations; and on the application of ancient scientific research to real world problems, making use throughout of well chosen and clearly explained examples.' - Tracey Rihll, Reader in History and Classics, Swansea University, author of Greek Science and co-editor of Science and Mathematics in Ancient Greek Culture