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The Atom in the History of Human Thought
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About The Atom In The History Of Human Thought
Product Description The concept of the atom is very near scientific bedrock, touching first causes, fundamental principles, our conception of the nature of reality. This book is a translation from the French of a history of atomic thought and theory, from ancient Greece to the present day. Pullman grounds his coverage of scientific theory always in the religious and philosophical context of the times, covering the whole period of Western civilization, including in passing the major scientific philosophies of the Muslim world and India. The transition of atomism from a philosophical position to an experimental science, in the mid-19th century, is well handled, and the coverage is nicely rounded out by a treatment of the first visual proof of atoms' material existence by direct microscopic imaging of individual atoms, about ten years ago. Review "Under the guise of tracing the ever-changing fate of atomism from antiquity to our time, Professor Pullman reveals the fascinating story how a key concept of modern science gradually emerged out of an intense interplay between physical science, philosophy, theology, and personal presuppositions. An engrossing and civilizing work."--Gerald Holton, Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics & Professor of History of Science, Harvard University "Bernard Pullman has given us a precious parting gift: a finely wrought and readable account of the greatest of human discoveries--the coaxing out, through deep thought and ingenious experiment, of the nature of atoms."--Roald Hoffman, Professor of Chemistry, Cornell University "The story of the atomic theory of matter lends itself better than almost any other historical journey to a grand panoramic approach to the history of scientific ideas Pullmanfollows the ideas of the atom through the long period of 2500 years since the notion of an indivisible fundamental constituent of matter was first formulated by pre-Socratic Greek thinkers He is at his best when dealing with recent developments in the physics and chemistry of atoms and nuclei, where he leaves no loose threads unexaminedThere is thus, implicit in this work, an urge to connect with the past, to construct a narrative of progress, and to week out mistakes and missteps. Yet, it is an eminently readable and enjoyable book, which affords perspicacious insights into one of the most persisting scientific problems." -- science About the Author Bernard Pullman was Professor of Quantum Chemistry at the Sorbonne and Director of the Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique. He died in 1996. Axel Reisinger is a Senior Principal Physicist at Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Company. He lives in Amherst, New Hampshire.
