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| HISTORY OF SCIENCE IN DENMARK : Through a Thousand Years [Henry Nielsen, Helge Kragh, Peter C Kjærgaard & Kristian Hvidtfeldt Nielsen (eds)] Although Denmark, a small country on the European periphery, has only made a modest contribution to decisive progress in scientific research on the international arena, there have nevertheless been numerous significant Danish contributions, and naturally this present work describes these high points. While the high points are represented by scientists like Tycho Brahe, H.C. Ørsted and Niels Bohr, this publication distances itself from prevailing heroic presentations by putting weight on the dependence of these scientists on a wide-ranging professional network, as well as close contacts to private patrons, the state and other sponsors. Even though splendid pinnacles are also to be found, the flat landscape is perhaps more representative of Danish natural science history. In Denmark, the natural sciences (as also applies to other sciences, and culture in general) have developed mainly through the reception of and adaptation to science from abroad. Reception-history has therefore been given a prominent place in the work. Institutions- and organisations-history is another area that is given high priority, just as great weight has been laid on the material, economic and cultural framework under which research has always functioned. Although Danish natural science researchers have nearly always emphasised the importance of international cooperation, there are many national aspects of a social, political and cultural type which have had significant influence on the scientific practice in Denmark. The present work is documented in such a way that it (also) makes sense to write the international scientists history in a national context, and thereby placing the work solidly in a new and fast-growing scientific-historic genre. { 500pp, April 2008; HB, £37.95, 8779343171:9788779343177 , Aarhus University Press } |
| LATENT ORDER OF COMPLEXITY [Joseph P Zbilut & Alessandro Giuliani] The scope of public ignorance concerning how things work inevitably grows explosively. It is unreasonable to expect widespread or detailed understanding even of the many major support systems that make urban life possible (clean water, electrical supply, groceries in markets at all seasons, trash and sewage disposal....). What we don't understand seems 'complex' to us, at least until, with study or practice, we may achieve an occasional 'Ah-Ha!' moment when complexity suddenly reduces to simplicity, and part of our world view changes forever. In this welcome and appealing book the authors, who have achieved stature in both experimental and theoretical sciences, address the grandest 'how things work' issue of them all, viz., the methods and limitations of science itself. They do so in a conversational style accessible to any interested reader. { March 2008; PB, £16.50, 1604560266:9781604560268 , Nova Science } |
| SIMPLICITY : The Latent Order of Complexity [Joseph P Zbilut & Alessandro Giuliani] The scope of public ignorance concerning how things work inevitably grows explosively. It is unreasonable to expect widespread or detailed understanding even of the many major support systems that make urban life possible (clean water, electrical supply, groceries in markets at all seasons, trash and sewage disposal). What we don't understand seems 'complex' to us, at least until, with study or practice, we may achieve an occasional "Ah -- Ha!" moment when complexity suddenly reduces to simplicity, and part of our world view changes forever. In this welcome and appealing book the authors, who have achieved stature in both experimental and theoretical sciences, address the grandest "how things work" issue of them all, viz., the methods and limitations of science itself. They do so in a conversational style accessible to any interested reader. Queries about how science works have provoked controversies from the beginning, still continuing, but even more animated are debates about the limitations of science and its methods. Responsible and informed people are even writing books and articles with the theme: "The End of Science!" In that setting, Zbilut and Giuliani unflinchingly guide the reader through brambles and thickets, emerging unscratched -- an admirable accomplishment. { 112pp, 180x260mm, February 2008; HB, £39.99, 1600219632:9781600219634 , Nova Science } |