ISBN The Knowledge Machine book General novel English Paperback 368 pages

Rich with tales of discovery from Galileo to general relativity, a stimulating and timely analysis of how science works and why we need it.
'The
best introduction to the scientific enterprise
that I know. A wonderful and important book'
David Wootton
, author ofThe Invention of ScienceIt is only in the last three centuries that the formidable knowledge-making machine we call modern science has transformed our way of life and our vision of the universe - two thousand years after the invention of law, philosophy, drama and mathematics. Why did we take so long to invent science? And how has it proved to be so powerful?
The Knowledge Machinegives a radical answer, exploring how science calls on its practitioners to do something apparently irrational: strip away all previous knowledge - such as theological, metaphysical or political beliefs - and channel unprecedented energy into observation and experiment.
In times of climate extremes, novel diseases and rapidly advancing technology, Strevens contends that we need more than ever to grasp the inner workings of our knowledge machine.
'A
stylish and accessible
investigation into the nature of the scientific method' Nigel Warburton,Philosophy Bites'This
elegant
book takes us to the heart of the scientific enterprise' David Papineau, King's College London, author ofKnowing the Score'This book is
a delight to read, richly illustrated with wonderfully told incidents
from the history of natural science' Nancy Cartwright, University of California San Diego