Project Overview
The Needham Revolution: How A Biologist Evolved into a Comparative Science Historian of China
Department(s)
East Asian Languages and Literatures
Abstract
This book project deals with important writings of Joseph Needham (1900 - 1995), a British biochemist-evolved-historian of science. He is widely known for his monumental accomplishment the Science and Civilisation in China series as well as his Grand Question that led to the series: “Why modern science had not developed in Chinese civilization (or Indian) but only in Europe?” This book project studies how Needham’s comparative study of science as the socio-cultural products of different peoples at different times and places both grew out of and enlarged his scientific and social philosophy from the viewpoint of a 20th-century frontline biologist.
Student Qualifications
- Perceptive readers of philosophy of science and history, advanced Chinese language proficiency preferred.
- Motivated, focused, attentive to details.
Number of Student Researchers
2 students
Project Length
10 weeks
APPLY