The Need for Studies in History of Science
Sushil Kumar Mukherjee
The course on History of Science was launched in 1994 by the Asiatic society as the result of the attempts made by late Samarendra Nath Sen, an Indian historian of science. The writer, Professor Sushil Kumar Mukhejee tries to find answer to the question Why we should learn the history of science. Science unlike many other phenomenons has a continuous growth. Science has brought revolutionary changes in world order.
A scientific revolution enabled mankind to get out of the feudal system. With industrial revolution, science assumed a high position as the most productive force of society. Science thus became powerful than political and economical forces. John Bernal, an Irish scientist states, “If capitalism made science possible, Science in its turn was to make capitalism unnecessary.”
By 17th century, science made a new world order. Aristotle’s world was replaced by Newton’s world. Though industrial revolution was a result of scientific revolution, there was a slowing down of science after industrial revolution as industries concentrated in certain locations. At the initial stage of revolution the contribution to science was nominal. The steam engine was a great contribution of the period. Later, industries demanded more and more. The spirit of science led to exchange of information between scientists to improve and develop the quality of the products.
Unlike Europe, countries like Babylonia, Egypt, China, India, Greece and Arabia have a much earlier history of scientific activities. History of science in India after the Harappan civilization was that of the Vedic people. During the Post-Vedic period there emerged Ayurveda and industries such as ceramics, iron, glass and agriculture also made rapid progress.
During 400-900 A.D., different branches of science such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, alchemy, atomism, agriculture etc. made great progress. During medieval period astronomy, mathematics, medicine etc. made progress. Both China and India made wonderful inventions long before scientific revolution. But modern science did not develop in these countries. The mystery behind this will only be answered if we learn the history of the social conditions of these countries.
Greeks and Babylonians too have great history of science. But these cultures could not contribute to modern science. The culture, myths and historical and philosophical aspects contributed to this. Europeans concentrated on the laws of nature. Japanese believed that science and technology was aimed at material progress. Japanese aimed at developing physical and applied science and not biological science. They were not concerned with philosophical and theoretical details where as Europe was. Japanese considered science as a political faculty rather than a cultural system.
Islamic civilization used science for regulation of religious functions. They concentrated on astronomy and geography to regulate their prayers and religious practices. Looking at the history of science we can see that science do not have a linear progression. It developed in various cultures at various time periods. Greeks owe their development to Babylonians and Egyptians and Indian science contributed to the scientific spirit of Arabians and they spread science in Europe.
Science has duality. There is scientific aspect of science-experimentation, observation and verification-the subjectivity and universality of science. There other aspect of science is the cultural, economic and political forces that contribute to science. The development of a particular branch of science in preference to another, should science be used as a source of power either for oneself or for dominating over others etc. depends on the society’s will. The progress of science depends an social, cultural, philosophical, religious, economical and political factors.
Joseph Needham, a historian of Chinese Science, Technology and Medicine, in his foreword to D.P Chattopadhyaya’s “Science and Technology in Ancient India” wrote that there are attempts made to free science from religious and societal laws. But Needham commented that today ethics is needed more than ever in science irrespective of one’s attitude to religion.
John Bernal points out that capitalism prevented science from being used for human Progress. Science is used for destruction, pollution, genetic engineering, loss of privacy through information banks etc. Science is an inevitable part of civilization. During wars new sciences developed. This raises the question whether wars are needed for the progress of science. The study of the history of science can possibly answer many questions on the development of science and hence history of science should be studied with due respect.
CAS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT 