The Earth Encompassed: A History of the Environmental Sciences (Norton History of Science) - Softcover

Bowler, Peter J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0393320804 ISBN 13: 9780393320800

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2000

Synopsis

An accessible and comprehensive history of discoveries and outlooks that culminated in the modern discipline of environmental studies. This authoritative volume chronicles humanity's long quest to understand its own origins. Peter J. Bowler brilliantly synthesizes discoveries in geography, geology, and evolutionary biology that have brought us to our current knowledge of the fragility and connectedness of life on earth and created the new science of ecology. Bowler adeptly balances a long historical perspective with discussion of specific developments in the major fields relating to the physical and organic environment. He brings to life theoretical debates surrounding the notion of nature as an interconnected whole and addresses the controversial ethical questions raised by the ways we investigate our world and our use of the planet's resources. This book is not only the history of a discipline but also a wide-ranging study of scientific and theoretical innovations and the cultural and professional factors that influence the way scientists explain and understand their observations. 8 pages of illustrations

About this title

About the Author:

Peter J. Bowler is professor of history and philosophy of science at the Queen's University of Belfast.

About this edition

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0393320804
• ISBN 13: 9780393320800
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 668