From sunlight to insight
Subtitle: Jan IngenHousz, the discovery of photosynthesis & science in the light of ecology
By: Geerdt Magiels
Publisher: VUBPRESS
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Brussels
Language: eng
Number of pages: 407
ISBN-13: 9789054876458
Subjects: Ecology; Scientists; Science; Discoveries in science; Photosynthesis; Biography; History
Other titles: Jan IngenHousz, the discovery of photosynthesis and science in the light of ecology
Description: "Who discovered photosynthesis? Not many people know. Jan IngenHousz' name has been forgotten, his life and works have disappeared in the mists of time. Still, the tale of his scientific endeavour shows science in action. Not only does it open up an undisclosed chapter of the history of science, it is an ideal (as under researched) episode in the history of science that can help to shine some light on the ingredients and processes that shape the development of science. This paves the way for a fresh multidimensional approach in the philosophy of science: towards an "ecology of science"."--P. [4] of cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 377-402) and indexes.
Table of contents: title: A first speck of light; title: The first decades of curiosity 1730-1779; title: The quest for the secret of the sunlight 1779-1780; title: A life in letters, the story continues 1780-1799; title: Content, contest and context; title: A crucial instrument : the rise and fall of the eudiometer; title: Memory and priority : who was first? and why has he been forgotten?; title: Science as Ingenhousz knew it & science as we know it; title: A case of complexity : ecological questions for the philosophy & history of science; title: Photosynthesis, a bright future for the light of the sun.