History of science and technology

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The history of science and technology (HST) is a field of history that examines the development of the understanding of the natural world (science) and humans' ability to manipulate it (technology) at different points in time. This academic discipline also examines the cultural, economic, and political context and impacts of scientific practices; it likewise may study the consequences of new technologies on existing scientific fields.

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Academic study of history of science

History of science is an academic discipline with an international community of specialists. Main professional organizations for this field include the History of Science Society, the British Society for the History of Science, and the European Society for the History of Science.

Much of the study of the history of science has been devoted to answering questions about what science is, how it functions, and whether it exhibits large-scale patterns and trends. [1]

History of the academic study of history of science

Histories of science were originally written by practicing and retired scientists, [2] starting primarily with William Whewell's History of the Inductive Sciences (1837), as a way to communicate the virtues of science to the public. [3]

Auguste Comte proposed that there should be a specific discipline to deal with the history of science. [4]

The development of the distinct academic discipline of the history of science and technology did not occur until the early 20th century. [5] Historians have suggested that this was bound to the changing role of science during the same time period. [5]

After World War I, extensive resources were put into teaching and researching the discipline, with the hopes that it would help the public better understand both Science and Technology as they came to play an exceedingly prominent role in the world. [6]

In the decades since the end of World War II, history of science became an academic discipline, with graduate schools, research institutes, public and private patronage, peer-reviewed journals, and professional societies. [7]

Formation of academic departments

In the United States, a more formal study of the history of science as an independent discipline was initiated by George Sarton's publications, Introduction to the History of Science (1927) and the journal Isis (founded in 1912). [8] Sarton exemplified the early 20th-century view of the history of science as the history of great men and great ideas.[ citation needed ] He shared with many of his contemporaries a Whiggish belief in history as a record of the advances and delays in the march of progress.[ citation needed ]

The study of the history of science continued to be a small effort until the rise of Big Science after World War II. [9] With the work of I. Bernard Cohen at Harvard University, the history of science began to become an established subdiscipline of history in the United States. [10]

In the United States, the influential bureaucrat Vannevar Bush, and the president of Harvard, James Conant, both encouraged the study of the history of science as a way of improving general knowledge about how science worked, and why it was essential to maintain a large scientific workforce.[ citation needed ]

Universities with history of science and technology programs

Argentina

Australia

Belgium

Canada

France

Germany

Greece

India

History of science and technology is a well-developed field in India. At least three generations of scholars can be identified. The first generation includes D.D.Kosambi, Dharmpal, Debiprasad Chattopadhyay and Rahman. The second generation mainly consists of Ashis Nandy, Deepak Kumar, Dhruv Raina, S. Irfan Habib, Shiv Visvanathan, Gyan Prakash, Stan Lourdswamy, V.V. Krishna, Itty Abraham, Richard Grove, Kavita Philip, Mira Nanda and Rob Anderson. There is an emergent third generation that includes scholars like Abha Sur and Jahnavi Phalkey. [20]

Departments and Programmes

The National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies had a research group active in the 1990s which consolidated social history of science as a field of research in India. Currently there are several institutes and university departments offering HST programmes.

Israel

Japan

Netherlands

Poland

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Ukraine

United Kingdom

United States

Academic study of the history of science as an independent discipline was launched by George Sarton at Harvard with his book Introduction to the History of Science (1927) and the Isis journal (founded in 1912). Sarton exemplified the early 20th century view of the history of science as the history of great men and great ideas. He shared with many of his contemporaries a Whiggish belief in history as a record of the advances and delays in the march of progress. The History of Science was not a recognized subfield of American history in this period, and most of the work was carried out by interested Scientists and Physicians rather than professional Historians. [44] With the work of I. Bernard Cohen at Harvard, the history of Science became an established subdiscipline of history after 1945. [45]

Prominent historians of the field

See also the list of George Sarton medalists.

Journals and periodicals

See also

Professional societies

References

  1. ↑ What is this thing called science?. Hackett Pub. 1999. ISBN   978-0-87220-452-2.
  2. ↑ Reingold, Nathan (1986). "History of Science Today, 1. Uniformity as Hidden Diversity: History of Science in the United States, 1980-1960". British Journal for the History of Science. 19 (3): 243–262. doi:10.1017/S0007087400023268. S2CID   145350145.
  3. ↑ Snyder, Laura J. (2023), Zalta, Edward N.; Nodelman, Uri (eds.), "William Whewell", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2023 ed.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, retrieved 2025-03-09
  4. ↑ Bourdeau, Michel (2023). "Auguste Comte". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Historiography of science - Acemap". ddescholar.acemap.info. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
  6. ↑ Katzir, Shaul (2017). ""In war or in peace:" The technological promise of science following the First World War". Centaurus. 59 (3): 223–237. doi:10.1111/1600-0498.12161. ISSN   1600-0498.
  7. ↑ Hoopes, James; Ross, Dorothy (1992). "The Origins of American Social Science" . Journal of Interdisciplinary History. 22 (3): 536. doi:10.2307/205020. ISSN   0022-1953.
  8. ↑ Adnan-Adivar, Abdulhak; Sarton, George (1949-10-31). "Introduction to the History of Science. Vol. III" . Oriens. 2 (1): 155. doi:10.2307/1579416. ISSN   0078-6527.
  9. ↑ "The Science Before the War". The New Atlantis. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  10. ↑ Dauben JW, Gleason ML, Smith GE (2009). "Seven Decades of History of Science". Isis. 100 (1): 4–35. doi:10.1086/597575. PMID   19554868. S2CID   31401544.
  11. ↑ The University of Sydney. "History and Philosophy of Science" . Retrieved December 3, 2009.
  12. ↑ Université de Liège. "CHST". Archived from the original on February 5, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  13. ↑ University of Toronto. "History and Philosophy of Science and Technology" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  14. ↑ url = https://huronatwestern.ca/sites/default/files/Interdisc%20outlines/HISTSCI%202200E%20updated%20Winter%202020%20-%20Doyle.pdf |
  15. ↑ University of King's College (8 September 2016). "History of Science & Technology" . Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  16. ↑ TEISSIER, Pierre. "Accueil – Centre François Viète d'épistémologie et d'histoire des sciences et des techniques". Centre François Viète (in French). Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  17. ↑ Technische Universität Berlin. "Philosophy, Theory of Science, and History of Science and Technology". Archived from the original on July 19, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  18. ↑ "The New York Times Travel Guide". The New York Times. 10 August 2008. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2024. This is the largest technological museum of its kind in the world.
  19. ↑ Website Deutsches Museum
  20. ↑ Rao, Mohit M (November 6, 2021). ""'Access to science is what every society needs': Jahnavi Phalkey"". The Hindu. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  21. ↑ Tel Aviv University. "History and Philosophy of Science" . Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  22. ↑ "The Graduate Program in Science, Technology and Society at Bar-Ilan University". STS @ BIU.
  23. ↑ Kyoto University (November 20, 2010). "Philosophy and History of Science" . Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  24. 1 2 3 Tokyo Institute of Technology. "Department of History and Philosophy of Science". Archived from the original on 2009-10-19. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  25. ↑ Utrecht University. "History and Philosophy of Science". Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  26. ↑ Utrecht University. "Historical and Comparative Studies of the Sciences and Humanities". Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  27. ↑ University of the Basque Country. "Máster Universitario en Filosofía, Ciencia y Valores" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  28. ↑ University of the Basque Country. "THEORIA. International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science" . Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  29. ↑ Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. "Centre d'Història de la Ciència" . Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  30. ↑ Universitat Valencia. "Instituto de Historia de la Medicina y de la Ciencia Lopez Piñero". Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
  31. ↑ Linköping University. "Tema Teknik och social förändring" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  32. ↑ University of Bern. "History and Philosophy of Science". Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2006.
  33. ↑ "The State University of Infrastructure and Technologies of Ukraine has a Department of Philosophy and History of Science and technology".
  34. ↑ University of Bristol. "Department of Philosophy" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  35. ↑ University of Cambridge. "History and Philosophy of Science" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  36. ↑ University of Durham. "Department of Philosophy" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  37. ↑ "History of the Sciences – School of History – University of Kent". www.kent.ac.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  38. ↑ University College London. "Science and Technology Studies" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  39. ↑ University College London. "The Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  40. ↑ University of Leeds. "History & Philosophy of Science". Archived from the original on August 4, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  41. ↑ University of Manchester. "History of Science, Technology and Medicine" . Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  42. ↑ University of Oxford. "History of Science: Instruments, Museums, Science, Technology". Archived from the original on July 19, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  43. ↑ London Centre for the History of Science, Medicine and Technology. "History of Science, Medicine and Technology".
  44. ↑ Nathan Reingold, "History of Science Today, 1. Uniformity as Hidden Diversity: History of Science in the United States, 1920–1940," British Journal for the History of Science 1986 19(3): 243–262
  45. ↑ Dauben, JW; Gleason, ML; Smith, GE (2009). "Seven decades of history of science: I. Bernard Cohen (1914–2003), second editor of Isis". Isis; an International Review Devoted to the History of Science and Its Cultural Influences. 100 (1): 4–35. doi:10.1086/597575. PMID   19554868. S2CID   31401544.
  46. ↑ Arizona State University. "Center for Biology and Society – Education". Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  47. ↑ Case Western Reserve University. "History and Philosophy of Science" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  48. ↑ Case Western Reserve University. "History of Science, Technology, Environment, and Medicine" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  49. ↑ Georgia Institute of Technology. "School of History, Technology, and Society" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  50. ↑ Harvard University. "Department of the History of Science" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  51. ↑ Johns Hopkins University. "History of Science, Medicine, and Technology". Archived from the original on August 3, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  52. ↑ Lehigh University. "The Science, Technology, and Society Program". Archived from the original on July 13, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  53. ↑ Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Program in Science, Technology, and Society" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  54. ↑ Michigan State University. "HPS at LBC". Archived from the original on 11 December 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  55. ↑ New Jersey Institute of Technology. "Program in Science, Technology, and Society". Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2007.
  56. ↑ Oregon State University. "Graduate Programs". Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2007.
  57. ↑ Princeton University. "Program in History of Science" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  58. ↑ Rutgers University. "History of Science, Technology, Environment, and Health" . Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  59. ↑ Stanford University. "History and Philosophy of Science and Technology" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  60. ↑ University of California, Berkeley. "History of science and technology" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  61. ↑ University of California, Los Angeles. "History of Science Program". Archived from the original on August 28, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  62. ↑ University of California Santa Barbara. "Center for Information Technology & Society" . Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  63. ↑ University of Chicago. "2021–2022 Catalog – History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine (HIPS)" . Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  64. ↑ University of Chicago. "Committee on the Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science – About Us" . Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  65. ↑ University of Florida. "Department of History" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  66. ↑ University of Minnesota. "History of Science, Technology, and Medicine" . Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  67. ↑ University of Oklahoma. "Department of the History of Science" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  68. ↑ University of Pennsylvania. "History & Sociology of Science" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  69. ↑ University of Pittsburgh. "History & Philosophy of Science" . Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  70. ↑ University of Puget Sound. "Science, Technology, & Society" . Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  71. ↑ University of Wisconsin–Madison. "History of Science" . Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  72. ↑ Wesleyan University. "Science in Society program" . Retrieved April 29, 2009.
  73. ↑ Yale University. "History of Science and Medicine" . Retrieved July 30, 2006.

Bibliography

Historiography of science

History of science as a discipline

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