Author: Federico Marcon File Type: pdf Between the early seventeenth and the mid-nineteenth century, the field of natural history in Japan separated itself from the discipline of medicine, produced knowledge that questioned the traditional religious and philosophical understandings of the world, developed into a system (called honzogaku) that rivaled Western science in complexityand then seemingly disappeared. Or did it? In The Knowledge of Nature and the Nature of Knowledge in Early Modern Japan, Federico Marcon recounts how Japanese scholars developed a sophisticated discipline of natural history analogous to Europes but created independently, without direct influence, and argues convincingly that Japanese natural history succumbed to Western science not because of suppression and substitution, as scholars traditionally have contended, but by adaptation and transformation. The first book-length English-language study devoted to the important field of honzogaku, The Knowledge of Nature and the Nature of Knowledge in Early Modern Japan will be an essential text for historians of Japanese and East Asian science, and a fascinating read for anyone interested in the development of science in the early modern era.

Author: Brian Switek File Type: epub Switek seamlessly intertwines two types of evolution one of life on earth and the other of paleontology itself.Discover Magazine In delightful prose, [Switek] . . . superbly shows that [i]f we can let go of our conceit, we will see the preciousness of life in all its forms.Publishers Weekly (starred review) Highly instructive . . . a warm, intelligent yeomans guide to the progress of life.Kirkus Reviews Magisterial . . . part historical account, part scientific detective story. Switeks elegant prose and thoughtful scholarship will change the way you see life on our planet. This book marks the debut of an important new voice.Neil Shubin Elegantly and engagingly crafted, Brian Switeks narrative interweaves stories and characters not often encountered in books on paleontologyat once a unique, informative and entertaining read.Niles Eldredge If you want to read one book to get up to speed on evolution, read Written in Stone. Brian Switeks clear and compelling book is full of fascinating stories about how scientists have read the fossil record to trace the evolution of life on Earth.Ann Gibbons [Switeks] accounts of dinosaurs, birds, whales, and our own primate ancestors are not just fascinating for their rich historical detail, but also for their up-to-date reporting on paleontologys latest discoveries.Carl Zimmer After reading this book, you will have a totally new context in which to interpret the evolutionary history of amphibians, mammals, whales, elephants, horses, and especially humans.Donald R. Prothero Spectacular fossil finds make todays headlines new technology unlocks secrets of skeletons unearthed a hundred years ago. Still, evolution is often poorly represented by the media and misunderstood by the public. A potent antidote to pseudoscience, Written in Stone is an engrossing history of evolutionary discovery for anyone who has marveled at the variety and richness of life. **