The tree of knowledge the bright and the dark sides of science Claudio Ronchi

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ronchi, C. (Claudio), author.

Standardized Title:

Alvero della Conoscenza. English

Language:

English

Italian

Subjects (All):

Science--History.

Science.

Physics.

physics.

Medical Subjects:

Physics.

Genre:

History

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Cham Springer 2014

Summary:

Whether considered a divine gift or a Promethean conquest, science has indisputably and indelibly marked the course of human history. A product of the intellectual elite, but always nourished by the many fruits of its applications, science appears today to be a perfect system, whose laws and discoveries guide all human activities. Yet the foundations of its authority remain an open question, entailing disquieting aspects that are also to be identified in modern science. Furthermore it is seen to be exerting an increasing power over mankind. Readers are invited to follow an itinerary through the history of science, a voyage which, in the end, enables them to catch a glimpse of two divergent futures: One in which science accelerates the downfall of Homo sapiens, and another in which it helps our species to engage in a new and positive adventure, whose outcome nobody can know

Contents:

Time of Growth

Birth an Floruit of Science in the Occident

Scientific Research as a Global Enterprise

The Crisis of Growth

Orthodoxy versus Heresy

The Dissemination of Knowledge

Beyond Mankind

Artificial Intelligence and Post-Humanity

Beginning and the End

Epilogue

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed November 11, 2013)

Other Format:

Printed edition:

ISBN:

9783319014845

3319014846

3319014838

9783319014838

OCLC:

865508056

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license