From sunlight to insight : Jan IngenHousz, the discovery of photosynthesis & science in the light of ecology / Geerdt Magiels.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Magiels, Geerdt, 1956-

Contributor:

Edward Potts Cheyney Memorial Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ingenhousz, Jan, 1730-1799.

Ingenhousz, Jan.

Photosynthesis.

Discoveries in science.

Science--History.

Science.

History.

Ecology.

Physical Description:

407 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Brussels : VUBPress, [2010]

Summary:

Who discovered photosynthesis? Not many people know. Jan IngenHousz' name has been forgotten, his life and works have disappeared in the mists of time. Still, the tale of his scientific endeavour shows science in action. Not only does it open up an undisclosed chapter of the history of science, it is an ideal (as under researched) episode in the history of science that can help to shine some light on the ingredients and processes that shape the development of science. This paves the way for a fresh multidimensional approach in the philosophy of science: towards an "ecology of science."

Contents:

A first speck of light

The first decades of curiosity 1730-1779

The quest for the secret of the sunlight 1779-1780

A life in letters, the story continues 1780-1799

Content, contest and context

A crucial instrument: the rise and fall of the eudiometer

Memory and priority: who was first? and why has he been forgotten?

Science as Ingenhousz knew it & science as we know it

A case of complexity: ecological questions for the philosophy & history of science

Photosynthesis, a bright future for the light of the sun.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 377-402) and indexes.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Edward Potts Cheyney Memorial Fund.

ISBN:

9789054876458

905487645X

OCLC:

611405273

Publisher Number:

99939891504