Popular science and public opinion in eighteenth-century France / Michael R. Lynn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lynn, Michael R., author.

Series:

Studies in early modern European history.

Studies in early modern European history

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--France--History--18th century.

Science.

Science and civilization--History--18th century.

Science and civilization.

Science--France--Public opinion--History--18th century.

Public opinion--France--History--18th century.

Public opinion.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ix, 177 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Manchester ; New York : Manchester University Press, 2006.

Summary:

This book explores the appropriation of science in French society and the development of an urban scientific culture. Science underwent a process of commodification and popularization during the eighteenth century as more and more individuals sought to acquire some knowledge of scientific activities and as more and more people entered public debates on science. Popular science took many forms in the eighteenth century. While books, periodicals, universities, and academies all provided a breadth of scientific popularization at different levels and for different audiences, this book focuses on popular science within urban culture more generally. More than ever before, public lectures and demonstrations, clubs, and other activities arose in the eighteenth century as new opportunities for the general population to gain access to and appropriate science. These arenas for popular science were not restricted to people of a certain education. In fact, popular science, and public lecture courses in particular, was often set at a level that could be understood by pretty much anyone. This was a bone of contention between popularizers and their critics who felt that in some cases popular science lacked any sort of real scientific content. In reality, some popularizers had specific theoretical content in mind for their courses while others were admittedly more interested in theatrics. Identifying the audience, cost, and location of popular science helps reveal its place in urban culture. The book looks at the audience, identified through advertisements and course descriptions, as well as the economics of courses.

Contents:

The practice of popularization

The audience, economics, and geography of popular science

Institutions of popular science

Divining rods and public opinion

Balloons and mass science.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 10 Apr 2026).

Includes bibliographical references (pages 155-175) and index.

ISBN:

1-5261-3045-9

OCLC:

1029669645