Description

Book Synopsis
In the second volume of his abridgement of Joseph Needham's original text, Colin Ronan looks in detail at the early Chinese contributions to various sciences. The first section deals with mathematics, and it is shown that the Chinese works were comparable with the pre-Renaissance achievements of the old world. This account is written with the non-mathematician in mind. The text is next concerned with the sciences of astronomy and meteorology, followed by the Earth sciences: geography, cartography, geology, seismology and mineralogy. Volume 2 closes with a description of some aspects of Chinese physics, including their predilection for the wave theory as opposed to particles, metrology, statics, hydrostatics, heat, light and sound.

Table of Contents
List of illustrations; List of tables; Preface; 1. Mathematics; 2. The sciences of the heavens: (i) astronomy; 3. The sciences of the heavens: (ii) meteorology; 4. The sciences of the earth: (i) geography and map-making; 5. The sciences of the earth: (ii) geology and related sciences; 6. Physics; Table of Chinese dynastics; Bibliography; Index.

The Shorter Science and Civilisation in China An Abridgement of Joseph Needhams Original Text 2

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    A Paperback by Colin A. Ronan

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      View other formats and editions of The Shorter Science and Civilisation in China An Abridgement of Joseph Needhams Original Text 2 by Colin A. Ronan

      Publisher: Cambridge University Press
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 6/20/1985 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780521315364, 978-0521315364
      ISBN10: 0521315360
      Also in:
      History of science

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      In the second volume of his abridgement of Joseph Needham's original text, Colin Ronan looks in detail at the early Chinese contributions to various sciences. The first section deals with mathematics, and it is shown that the Chinese works were comparable with the pre-Renaissance achievements of the old world. This account is written with the non-mathematician in mind. The text is next concerned with the sciences of astronomy and meteorology, followed by the Earth sciences: geography, cartography, geology, seismology and mineralogy. Volume 2 closes with a description of some aspects of Chinese physics, including their predilection for the wave theory as opposed to particles, metrology, statics, hydrostatics, heat, light and sound.

      Table of Contents
      List of illustrations; List of tables; Preface; 1. Mathematics; 2. The sciences of the heavens: (i) astronomy; 3. The sciences of the heavens: (ii) meteorology; 4. The sciences of the earth: (i) geography and map-making; 5. The sciences of the earth: (ii) geology and related sciences; 6. Physics; Table of Chinese dynastics; Bibliography; Index.

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